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Drosou M, Bhattacharjee S, Pantazis DA. Combined Multireference-Multiscale Approach to the Description of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20. [PMID: 39116215 PMCID: PMC11360140 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
A first-principles description of the primary photochemical processes that drive photosynthesis and sustain life on our planet remains one of the grand challenges of modern science. Recent research established that explicit incorporation of protein electrostatics in excited-state calculations of photosynthetic pigments, achieved for example with quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics (QM/MM) approaches, is essential for a meaningful description of the properties and function of pigment-protein complexes. Although time-dependent density functional theory has been used productively so far in QM/MM approaches for the study of such systems, this methodology has limitations. Here we pursue for the first time a QM/MM description of the reaction center in the principal enzyme of oxygenic photosynthesis, Photosystem II, using multireference wave function theory for the high-level QM region. We identify best practices and establish guidelines regarding the rational choice of active space and appropriate state-averaging for the efficient and reliable use of complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the N-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2) in the prediction of low-lying excited states of chlorophyll and pheophytin pigments. Given that the Gouterman orbitals are inadequate as a minimal active space, we define specific minimal and extended active spaces for the NEVPT2 description of electronic states that fall within the Q and B bands. Subsequently, we apply our multireference-QM/MM protocol to the description of all pigments in the reaction center of Photosystem II. The calculations reproduce the electrochromic shifts induced by the protein matrix and the ordering of site energies consistent with the identity of the primary donor (ChlD1) and the experimentally known asymmetric and directional electron transfer. The optimized protocol sets the stage for future multireference treatments of multiple pigments, and hence for multireference studies of charge separation, while it is transferable to the study of any photoactive embedded tetrapyrrole system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Drosou
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Sinjini Bhattacharjee
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Dimitrios A. Pantazis
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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2
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Cherepanov DA, Kurashov V, Gostev FE, Shelaev IV, Zabelin AA, Shen G, Mamedov MD, Aybush A, Shkuropatov AY, Nadtochenko VA, Bryant DA, Golbeck JH, Semenov AY. Femtosecond optical studies of the primary charge separation reactions in far-red photosystem II from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2024; 1865:149044. [PMID: 38588942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Primary processes of light energy conversion by Photosystem II (PSII) were studied using femtosecond broadband pump-probe absorption difference spectroscopy. Transient absorption changes of core complexes isolated from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335 grown under far-red light (FRL-PSII) were compared with the canonical Chl a containing spinach PSII core complexes upon excitation into the red edge of the Qy band. Absorption changes of FRL-PSII were monitored at 278 K in the 400-800 nm spectral range on a timescale of 0.1-500 ps upon selective excitation at 740 nm of four chlorophyll (Chl) f molecules in the light harvesting antenna, or of one Chl d molecule at the ChlD1 position in the reaction center (RC) upon pumping at 710 nm. Numerical analysis of absorption changes and assessment of the energy levels of the presumed ion-radical states made it possible to identify PD1+ChlD1- as the predominant primary charge-separated radical pair, the formation of which upon selective excitation of Chl d has an apparent time of ∼1.6 ps. Electron transfer to the secondary acceptor pheophytin PheoD1 has an apparent time of ∼7 ps with a variety of excitation wavelengths. The energy redistribution between Chl a and Chl f in the antenna occurs within 1 ps, whereas the energy migration from Chl f to the RC occurs mostly with lifetimes of 60 and 400 ps. Potentiometric analysis suggests that in canonical PSII, PD1+ChlD1- can be partially formed from the excited (PD1ChlD1)* state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A Cherepanov
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physical-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1, building 40, 119992 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Vasily Kurashov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, USA
| | - Fedor E Gostev
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan V Shelaev
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A Zabelin
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Gaozhong Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, USA
| | - Mahir D Mamedov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physical-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1, building 40, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Arseny Aybush
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoly Ya Shkuropatov
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Victor A Nadtochenko
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Donald A Bryant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, USA
| | - John H Golbeck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, USA; Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, USA
| | - Alexey Yu Semenov
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kosygina st., 4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physical-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1, building 40, 119992 Moscow, Russia.
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3
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Bhattacharjee S, Arra S, Daidone I, Pantazis DA. Excitation landscape of the CP43 photosynthetic antenna complex from multiscale simulations. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7269-7284. [PMID: 38756808 PMCID: PMC11095388 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06714a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Photosystem II (PSII), the principal enzyme of oxygenic photosynthesis, contains two integral light harvesting proteins (CP43 and CP47) that bind chlorophylls and carotenoids. The two intrinsic antennae play crucial roles in excitation energy transfer and photoprotection. CP43 interacts most closely with the reaction center of PSII, specifically with the branch of the reaction center (D1) that is responsible for primary charge separation and electron transfer. Deciphering the function of CP43 requires detailed atomic-level insights into the properties of the embedded pigments. To advance this goal, we employ a range of multiscale computational approaches to determine the site energies and excitonic profile of CP43 chlorophylls, using large all-atom models of a membrane-bound PSII monomer. In addition to time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) used in the context of a quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics setup (QM/MM), we present a thorough analysis using the perturbed matrix method (PMM), which enables us to utilize information from long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations of native PSII-complexed CP43. The excited state energetics and excitonic couplings have both similarities and differences compared with previous experimental fits and theoretical calculations. Both static TD-DFT and dynamic PMM results indicate a layered distribution of site energies and reveal specific groups of chlorophylls that have shared contributions to low-energy excitations. Importantly, the contribution to the lowest energy exciton does not arise from the same chlorophylls at each system configuration, but rather changes as a function of conformational dynamics. An unexpected finding is the identification of a low-energy charge-transfer excited state within CP43 that involves a lumenal (C2) and the central (C10) chlorophyll of the complex. The results provide a refined basis for structure-based interpretation of spectroscopic observations and for further deciphering excitation energy transfer in oxygenic photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinjini Bhattacharjee
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
| | - Srilatha Arra
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila Via Vetoio (Coppito 1) 67010 L'Aquila Italy
| | - Isabella Daidone
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila Via Vetoio (Coppito 1) 67010 L'Aquila Italy
| | - Dimitrios A Pantazis
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
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4
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Forde A, Maity S, Freixas VM, Fernandez-Alberti S, Neukirch AJ, Kleinekathöfer U, Tretiak S. Stabilization of Charge-Transfer Excited States in Biological Systems: A Computational Focus on the Special Pair in Photosystem II Reaction Centers. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:4142-4150. [PMID: 38593451 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Charge-transfer (CT) excited states play an important role in many biological processes. However, many computational approaches often inadequately address the equilibration effects of nuclear and environmental degrees of freedom on these states. One prominent example of systems in which CT states are of utmost importance is reaction centers (RC) in photosystems. Here we use a multiscale approach combined with time-dependent density functional theory to explore the lowest CT excited state of the special pair PD1-PD2 in the Photosystem II-RC of a cyanobacterium. We find that the nonequilibrium CT excited state resides near the Soret band, making an exciton the lowest-energy excited state. However, accounting for nuclear and state-specific dielectric equilibration along the CT potential energy surface (PES), the CT state PD1--PD2+ stabilizes energetically below the excitonic state. This underscores the crucial role of state-specific solvation in mapping the PES of CT states, as demonstrated in a simplified dimer model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Forde
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
- Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Sayan Maity
- School of Science, Constructor University, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Victor M Freixas
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnologiia, Univresidad Nacional de Quilmes/CONICET, B1876BXD Bernal, Argentina
| | | | - Amanda J Neukirch
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | | | - Sergei Tretiak
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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5
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Rodríguez-Bolaños M, Vargas-Romero G, Jaguer-García G, Aguilar-Gonzalez ZI, Lagos-Romero V, Miranda-Astudillo HV. Antares I: a Modular Photobioreactor Suitable for Photosynthesis and Bioenergetics Research. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:2176-2195. [PMID: 37486539 PMCID: PMC11035454 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthesis is responsible for most of the fixation of atmospheric CO2. The microalgal community can transport atmospheric carbon into biological cycles in which no additional CO2 is created. This represents a resource to confront the actual climate change crisis. These organisms have evolved to adapt to several environments and different spectral distribution of light that may strongly influence their metabolism. Therefore, there is a need for development of photobioreactors specialized in addressing spectral optimization. Here, a multi-scale modular photobioreactor made from standard glass materials, ad hoc light circuits, and easily accessible, small commercial devices is described. The system is suitable to manage the principal culture variables of research in bioenergetics and photosynthesis. Its performance was tested by growing four evolutionary-distant microalgal species with different endosymbiotic scenarios: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Archaeplastida, green primary plastid), Polytomella parva (Archaeplastida, colorless plastid), Euglena gracilis (Discoba, green secondary plastid), and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Stramenophiles, red secondary plastid). Our results show an improvement of biomass production, as compared to the traditional flask system. The modulation of the incident light spectra allowed us to observe a far-red adaptation in Euglena gracilis with a difference on paramylon production, and it also significantly increased the maximal cell density of the diatom species under green light. Together, these confirm that for photobioreactors with artificial light, manipulation of the light spectrum is a critical parameter for controlling the optimal performance, depending on the downstream goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Rodríguez-Bolaños
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gloria Vargas-Romero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Girian Jaguer-García
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Zhaida I Aguilar-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Verónica Lagos-Romero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Héctor V Miranda-Astudillo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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6
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Sirohiwal A, Pantazis DA. Reaction Center Excitation in Photosystem II: From Multiscale Modeling to Functional Principles. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:2921-2932. [PMID: 37844298 PMCID: PMC10634305 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Oxygenic photosynthesis is the fundamental energy-converting process that utilizes sunlight to generate molecular oxygen and the organic compounds that sustain life. Protein-pigment complexes harvest light and transfer excitation energy to specialized pigment assemblies, reaction centers (RC), where electron transfer cascades are initiated. A molecular-level understanding of the primary events is indispensable for elucidating the principles of natural photosynthesis and enabling development of bioinspired technologies. The primary enzyme in oxygenic photosynthesis is Photosystem II (PSII), a membrane-embedded multisubunit complex, that catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water. The RC of PSII consists of four chlorophyll a and two pheophytin a pigments symmetrically arranged along two core polypeptides; only one branch participates in electron transfer. Despite decades of research, fundamental questions remain, including the origin of this functional asymmetry, the nature of primary charge-transfer states and the identity of the initial electron donor, the origin of the capability of PSII to enact charge separation with far-red photons, i.e., beyond the "red limit" where individual chlorophylls absorb, and the role of protein conformational dynamics in modulating charge-separation pathways.In this Account, we highlight developments in quantum-chemistry based excited-state computations for multipigment assemblies and the refinement of protocols for computing protein-induced electrochromic shifts and charge-transfer excitations calibrated with modern local correlation coupled cluster methods. We emphasize the importance of multiscale atomistic quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, which enabled direct and accurate modeling of primary processes in RC excitation at the quantum mechanical level.Our findings show how differential protein electrostatics enable spectral tuning of RC pigments and generate functional asymmetry in PSII. A chlorophyll pigment on the active branch (ChlD1) has the lowest site energy in PSII and is the primary electron donor. The complete absence of low-lying charge-transfer states within the central pair of chlorophylls excludes a long-held assumption about the initial charge separation. Instead, we identify two primary charge separation pathways, both with the same pheophytin acceptor (PheoD1): a fast pathway with ChlD1 as the primary electron donor (short-range charge-separation) and a slow pathway with PD1PD2 as the initial donor (long-range charge separation). The low-energy spectrum is dominated by two states with significant charge-transfer character, ChlD1δ+PheoD1δ- and PD1δ+PheoD1δ-. The conformational dynamics of PSII allows these charge-transfer states to span wide energy ranges, pushing oxygenic photosynthesis beyond the "red limit". These results provide a quantum mechanical picture of the primary events in the RC of oxygenic photosynthesis, forming a solid basis for interpreting experimental observations and for extending photosynthesis research in new directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Sirohiwal
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dimitrios A. Pantazis
- Max-Planck-Institut
für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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7
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Pavlou A, Mokvist F, Styring S, Mamedov F. Far-red photosynthesis: Two charge separation pathways exist in plant Photosystem II reaction center. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2023; 1864:148994. [PMID: 37355002 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2023.148994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
An alternative charge separation pathway in Photosystem II under the far-red light was proposed by us on the basis of electron transfer properties at 295 K and 5 K. Here we extend these studies to the temperature range of 77-295 K with help of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Induction of the S2 state multiline signal, oxidation of Cytochrome b559 and ChlorophyllZ was studied in Photosystem II membrane preparations from spinach after application of a laser flashes in visible (532 nm) or far-red (730-750 nm) spectral regions. Temperature dependence of the S2 state signal induction after single flash at 730-750 nm (Tinhibition ~ 240 K) was found to be different than that at 532 nm (Tinhibition ~ 157 K). No contaminant oxidation of the secondary electron donors cytochrome b559 or chlorophyllZ was observed. Photoaccumulation experiments with extensive flashing at 77 K showed similar results, with no or very little induction of the secondary electron donors. Thus, the partition ratio defined as (yield of YZ/CaMn4O5-cluster oxidation):(yield of Cytb559/ChlZ/CarD2 oxidation) was found to be 0.4 at under visible light and 1.7 at under far-red light at 77 K. Our data indicate that different products of charge separation after far-red light exists in the wide temperature range which further support the model of the different primary photochemistry in Photosystem II with localization of hole on the ChlD1 molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pavlou
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Mokvist
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stenbjörn Styring
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fikret Mamedov
- Molecular Biomimetics, Department of Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
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8
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Bhattacharjee S, Neese F, Pantazis DA. Triplet states in the reaction center of Photosystem II. Chem Sci 2023; 14:9503-9516. [PMID: 37712047 PMCID: PMC10498673 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02985a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In oxygenic photosynthesis sunlight is harvested and funneled as excitation energy into the reaction center (RC) of Photosystem II (PSII), the site of primary charge separation that initiates the photosynthetic electron transfer chain. The chlorophyll ChlD1 pigment of the RC is the primary electron donor, forming a charge-separated radical pair with the vicinal pheophytin PheoD1 (ChlD1+PheoD1-). To avert charge recombination, the electron is further transferred to plastoquinone QA, whereas the hole relaxes to a central pair of chlorophylls (PD1PD2), subsequently driving water oxidation. Spin-triplet states can form within the RC when forward electron transfer is inhibited or back reactions are favored. This can lead to formation of singlet dioxygen, with potential deleterious effects. Here we investigate the nature and properties of triplet states within the PSII RC using a multiscale quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics (QM/MM) approach. The low-energy spectrum of excited singlet and triplet states, of both local and charge-transfer nature, is compared using range-separated time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). We further compute electron paramagnetic resonance properties (zero-field splitting parameters and hyperfine coupling constants) of relaxed triplet states and compare them with available experimental data. Moreover, the electrostatic modulation of excited state energetics and redox properties of RC pigments by the semiquinone QA- is described. The results provide a detailed electronic-level understanding of triplet states within the PSII RC and form a refined basis for discussing primary and secondary electron transfer, charge recombination pathways, and possible photoprotection mechanisms in PSII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinjini Bhattacharjee
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
| | - Frank Neese
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
| | - Dimitrios A Pantazis
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr Germany
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9
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Brütting M, Foerster JM, Kümmel S. Understanding Primary Charge Separation in the Heliobacterial Reaction Center. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:3092-3102. [PMID: 36951395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The homodimeric reaction center of heliobacteria retains features of the ancestral reaction center and can thus provide insights into the evolution of photosynthesis. Primary charge separation is expected to proceed in a two-step mechanism along either of the two reaction center branches. We reveal the first charge-separation step from first-principles calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory with an optimally tuned range-separated hybrid and ab initio Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics: the electron is most likely localized on the electron transfer cofactor 3 (EC3, OH-chlorophyll a), and the hole on the adjacent EC2. Including substantial parts of the surrounding protein environment into the calculations shows that a distinct structural mechanism is decisive for the relative energetic positioning of the electronic excitations: specific charged amino acids in the vicinity of EC3 lower the energy of charge-transfer excitations and thus facilitate efficient charge separation. These results are discussed considering recent experimental insights.
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10
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Capone M, Sirohiwal A, Aschi M, Pantazis DA, Daidone I. Alternative Fast and Slow Primary Charge-Separation Pathways in Photosystem II. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216276. [PMID: 36791234 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Photosystem-II (PSII) is a multi-subunit protein complex that harvests sunlight to perform oxygenic photosynthesis. Initial light-activated charge separation takes place at a reaction centre consisting of four chlorophylls and two pheophytins. Understanding the processes following light excitation remains elusive due to spectral congestion, the ultrafast nature, and multi-component behaviour of the charge-separation process. Here, using advanced computational multiscale approaches which take into account the large-scale configurational flexibility of the system, we identify two possible primary pathways to radical-pair formation that differ by three orders of magnitude in their kinetics. The fast (short-range) pathway is dominant, but the existence of an alternative slow (long-range) charge-separation pathway hints at the evolution of redundancy that may serve other purposes, adaptive or protective, related to formation of the unique oxidative species that drives water oxidation in PSII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Capone
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, via Vetoio (Coppito 1), 67010, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Abhishek Sirohiwal
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.,Present Address: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Massimiliano Aschi
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, via Vetoio (Coppito 1), 67010, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Dimitrios A Pantazis
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Isabella Daidone
- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, via Vetoio (Coppito 1), 67010, L'Aquila, Italy
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11
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Mondragón-Solórzano G, Sandoval-Lira J, Nochebuena J, Cisneros GA, Barroso-Flores J. Electronic Structure Effects Related to the Origin of the Remarkable Near-Infrared Absorption of Blastochloris viridis' Light Harvesting 1-Reaction Center Complex. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:4555-4564. [PMID: 35767461 PMCID: PMC10408377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Various photosynthetic organisms have evolved to absorb light in different regions of the visible light spectrum, thus adapting to the various lighting conditions available on Earth. While most of these autotrophic organisms absorb wavelengths around the 700-800 nm region, some are capable of red-shifted absorptions above this range, but none as remarkably as Blastochloris viridis whose main absorption is observed at 1015 nm, approximately 220 nm (0.34 eV) lower in energy than their main constituent pigments, BChl-b, whose main absorption is observed at 795 nm. The structure of its light harvesting 1-reaction center was recently elucidated by cryo-EM; however, the electronic structure details behind this red-shifted absorption remain unattended. We used hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations to optimize one of the active centers and performed classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to sample conformations beyond the optimized structure. We did excited state calculations with the time-dependent density functional theory method at the CAM-B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level of theory. We reproduced the near IR absorption by sequentially modifying the number of components involved in our systems using representative structures from the calculated MD ensemble. Natural transition orbital analysis reveals the participation of the BChl-b fragments to the main transition in the native structure and the structures obtained from the QM/MM and MD simulations. H-bonding pigment-protein interactions play a role on the conformation stabilization and orientation; however, the bacteriochlorin ring conformations and the exciton delocalization are the most relevant factors to explain the red-shifting phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Mondragón-Solórzano
- Centro Conjunto de Investigación en Química Sustentable UAEM-UNAM. Carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco Km. 14.5, Unidad San Cayetano. Toluca de Lerdo 50200, México
- Instituto de Química. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX 04510, México
| | - Jacinto Sandoval-Lira
- Centro Conjunto de Investigación en Química Sustentable UAEM-UNAM. Carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco Km. 14.5, Unidad San Cayetano. Toluca de Lerdo 50200, México
- Instituto de Química. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX 04510, México
- Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de San Martín Texmelucan, TecNM, Camino a la Barranca de Pesos, C.P. 74120 San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla, México
| | - Jorge Nochebuena
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75801, United States
| | - G Andrés Cisneros
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75801, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75801, United States
| | - Joaquín Barroso-Flores
- Centro Conjunto de Investigación en Química Sustentable UAEM-UNAM. Carretera Toluca-Atlacomulco Km. 14.5, Unidad San Cayetano. Toluca de Lerdo 50200, México
- Instituto de Química. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, CDMX 04510, México
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