Light-harvesting complex II in monocomponent and mixed lipid-protein monolayers

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1998 Sep 2;1373(2):289-98. doi: 10.1016/s0005-2736(98)00109-6.

Abstract

Monomolecular layers at the air-water interface were formed directly with isolated largest light-harvesting pigment-protein complex of Photosystem II (LHC II) or out of egg yolk lecithin (EYL) liposomes containing incorporated LHC II. Pure protein monolayers showed a mean area of 1400 A2 per molecule at the air-water interface. Monolayers were deposited onto glass slides by means of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Chlorophyll fluorescence of LHC II-LB and EYL-LHC II-LB films proved energetic coupling of chlorophyll a and b, thus indicating native conformation of LHC II within the monolayers. Scanning force microscopy (SFM) revealed ring-like structures formed in monocomponent protein layers as well as in mixed protein-lipid films. These results suggest that a structural arrangement of LHC II is favoured in a lipid environment but that the protein has itself a strong tendency for structural complex rearrangement in our system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorophyll / chemistry
  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Liposomes / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Phosphatidylcholines / metabolism
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / chemistry*
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Pressure
  • Protein Conformation
  • Secale / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes
  • Liposomes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Plant Proteins
  • Chlorophyll