A potential role of chlorophylls b and c in assembly of light-harvesting complexes

FEBS Lett. 2001 Jan 26;489(1):1-3. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)02410-8.

Abstract

Chlorophyll (Chl)-containing light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) in chloroplasts of plant and algal cells usually include an oxidized Chl (Chl b or c) in addition to Chl a. Oxidation of peripheral groups on the tetrapyrrole structure increases the Lewis acid strength of the central Mg atom. We propose that the resulting stronger coordination bonds between oxidized Chls and ligands in LHC apoproteins (LHCPs) stabilize the initial intermediates and thus promote assembly of LHCs within the chloroplast envelope.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acids / metabolism
  • Algal Proteins / chemistry
  • Algal Proteins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Chlamydomonas / metabolism*
  • Chlorophyll / metabolism*
  • Chlorophyll Binding Proteins
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acids
  • Algal Proteins
  • Chlorophyll Binding Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Chlorophyll
  • chlorophyll c
  • chlorophyll b
  • Magnesium