Reaction centres are membrane-embedded pigment–protein complexes that transduce the energy of sunlight into a biologically useful form. The most heavily studied reaction centres are the PS-I (Photosystem I) and PS-II complexes from oxygenic phototrophs, and the reaction centre from purple photosynthetic bacteria. A great deal is known about the compositions and structures of these reaction centres, and the mechanism of light-activated transmembrane electron transfer, but less is known about how they interact with other components of the photosynthetic membrane, including the membrane lipids. X-ray crystallography has provided high-resolution structures for PS-I and the purple bacterial reaction centre, and revealed binding sites for a number of lipids, either embedded in the protein interior or attached to the protein surface. These lipids play a variety of roles, including the binding of cofactors and the provision of structural support. The challenges of modelling surface-associated electron density features such as lipids, detergents, small amphiphiles and ions are discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2005
- Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
October 26 2005
Lipids in and around photosynthetic reaction centres
P.K. Fyfe;
P.K. Fyfe
*Division of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
M.R. Jones
M.R. Jones
1
†Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email m.r.jones@bristol.ac.uk).
Search for other works by this author on:
Biochem Soc Trans (2005) 33 (5): 924–930.
Article history
Received:
June 08 2005
Citation
P.K. Fyfe, M.R. Jones; Lipids in and around photosynthetic reaction centres. Biochem Soc Trans 26 October 2005; 33 (5): 924–930. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0330924
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.