Proposed mechanisms for water oxidation by Photosystem II and nanosized manganese oxides

Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 2017 Feb;1858(2):156-174. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.11.007. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

Abstract

Plants, algae and cyanobacteria capture sunlight, extracting electrons from H2O to reduce CO2 into sugars while releasing O2 in the oxygenic photosynthetic process. Because of the important role of water oxidation in artificial photosynthesis and many solar fuel systems, understanding the structure and function of this unique biological catalyst forms a requisite research field. Herein the structure of the water-oxidizing complex and its ligand environment are described with reference to the 1.9Å resolution X-ray-derived crystallographic model of the water-oxidizing complex from the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vulcanus. Proposed mechanisms for water oxidation by Photosystem II and nanosized manganese oxides are also reviewed and discussed in the paper.

Keywords: Calcium-manganese cluster; Mechanism; Nanosized manganese oxide; Oxygen; Photosynthesis; Water; Water oxidation; Water oxidizing complex.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism
  • Manganese Compounds / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxides / metabolism*
  • Photosynthesis / physiology
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / metabolism*
  • Plants / metabolism
  • Water / metabolism*

Substances

  • Manganese Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Water
  • manganese oxide