Pulsed and parallel-polarization EPR characterization of the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex

Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 2000:29:463-95. doi: 10.1146/annurev.biophys.29.1.463.

Abstract

Photosystem II uses visible light to drive the oxidation of water, resulting in bioactivated electrons and protons, with the production of molecular oxygen as a byproduct. This water-splitting reaction is carried out by a manganese cluster/tyrosine radial ensemble, the oxygen -evolving complex. Although conventional continuous-wave, perpendicular -polarization electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has significantly advanced our knowledge of the structure and function of the oxygen-evolving complex, significant additional information can be obtained with the application of additional EPR methodologies. Specifically, parallel-polarization EPR spectroscopy can be use to obtain highly resolved EPR spectra of integer spin Mn species, and pulsed EPR spectroscopy with electron spin echo-based sequences, such as electron spin echo envelope modulation and electron spin echo-electron nuclear double resonance, can be used to measure weak interactions obscured in continuous-wave spectroscopy by inhomogeneous broadening.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Kinetics
  • Manganese / chemistry
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / chemistry*
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Superoxide Dismutase / chemistry
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Manganese
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Oxygen