Elucidation of structure-function relationships in plant major light-harvesting complex (LHC II) by nonlinear spectroscopy

Photosynth Res. 2012 Mar;111(1-2):227-35. doi: 10.1007/s11120-011-9700-y. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Abstract

Conventional linear and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques are often not appropriate to elucidate specific pigment-pigment interactions in light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes (LHCs). Nonlinear (laser-) spectroscopic techniques, including nonlinear polarization spectroscopy in the frequency domain (NLPF) as well as step-wise (resonant) and simultaneous (non-resonant) two-photon excitation spectroscopies may be advantageous in this regard. Nonlinear spectroscopies have been used to elucidate substructure(s) of very complex spectra, including analyses of strong excitonic couplings between chlorophylls and of interactions between (bacterio)chlorophylls and "optically dark" states of carotenoids in LHCs, including the major antenna complex of higher plants, LHC II. This article shortly reviews our previous study and outlines perspectives regarding the application of selected nonlinear laser-spectroscopic techniques to disentangle structure-function relationships in LHCs and other pigment-protein complexes.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / chemistry*
  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes / metabolism*
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Photosynthesis
  • Pigments, Biological / chemistry
  • Pigments, Biological / metabolism
  • Plants / chemistry*
  • Plants / metabolism
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
  • Pigments, Biological