Molecular organization of bacteriochlorophyll in chlorosomes of the green photosynthetic bacteriumChloroflexus aurantiacus: Studies of fluorescence depolarization accompanied by energy transfer processes

Ultrafast Anisotropy Decay Reveals Structure and Energy Transfer in Supramolecular Aggregates

Chlorosomes from green bacteria perform the most efficient light capture and energy transfer, as observed among natural light-harvesting antennae. Hence, their unique functional properties inspire developments in artificial light-harvesting and molecular optoelectronics. We examine two distinct organizations of the molecular building blocks as proposed in the literature, demonstrating how these organizations alter light capture and energy transfer, which can serve as a mechanism that the bacteria utilize to adapt to changes in light conditions. Spectral simulations of polarization-resolved two-dimensional electronic spectra unravel how changes in the helicity of chlorosomal aggregates alter energy transfer. We show that ultrafast anisotropy decay presents a spectral signature that reveals contrasting energy pathways in different chlorosomes.

Utilization of blue-green light by chlorosomes from the photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus: Ultrafast excitation energy conversion and transfer

Chlorosomes of photosynthetic green bacteria are unique molecular assemblies providing efficient light harvesting followed by multi-step transfer of excitation energy to reaction centers. In each chlorosome, 10⁴-10⁵ bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c/d/e molecules are organized by self-assembly into high-ordered aggregates. We studied the early-time dynamics of the excitation energy flow and energy conversion in chlorosomes isolated from Chloroflexus (Cfx.) aurantiacus bacteria by pump-probe spectroscopy with 30-fs temporal resolution at room temperature. Both the S₂ state of carotenoids (Cars) and the Soret states of BChl c were excited at ~490 nm, and absorption changes were probed at 400-900 nm. A global analysis of spectroscopy data revealed that the excitation energy transfer (EET) from Cars to BChl c aggregates occurred within ~100 fs, and the Soret → Q energy conversion in BChl c occurred faster within ~40 fs. This conclusion was confirmed by a detailed comparison of the early exciton dynamics in chlorosomes with different content of Cars. These processes are accompanied by excitonic and vibrational relaxation within 100-270 fs. The well-known EET from BChl c to the baseplate BChl a proceeded on a ps time-scale. We showed that the S₁ state of Cars does not participate in EET. We discussed the possible presence (or absence) of an intermediate state that might mediates the Soret → Q_y internal conversion in chlorosomal BChl c. We discussed a possible relationship between the observed exciton dynamics and the structural heterogeneity of chlorosomes.

Q-band hyperchromism and B-band hypochromism of bacteriochlorophyll c as a tool for investigation of the oligomeric structure of chlorosomes of the green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus

Chlorosomes of green photosynthetic bacteria are the most amazing example of long-range ordered natural light-harvesting antennae. Chlorosomes are the largest among all known photosynthetic light-harvesting structures (~ 10⁴-10⁵ pigments in the aggregated state). The chlorosomal bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c/d/e molecules are organized via self-assembly and do not require proteins to provide a scaffold for efficient light harvesting. Despite numerous investigations, a consensus regarding the spatial structure of chlorosomal antennae has not yet been reached. In the present work, we studied hyperchromism/hypochromism in the chlorosomal BChl c Q/B absorption bands of the green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus (Cfx.) aurantiacus. The chlorosomes were isolated from cells grown under different light intensities and therefore, as we discovered earlier, they had different sizes of both BChl c antennae and their unit building blocks. We have shown experimentally that the Q-/B-band hyperchromism/hypochromism is proportional to the size of the chlorosomal antenna. We explained theoretically these findings in terms of excitonic intensity borrowing between the Q and B bands for the J-/H-aggregates of the BChls. The theory developed by Gülen (Photosynth Res 87:205-214, 2006) showed the dependence of the Q-/B-band hyperchromism/hypochromism on the structure of the aggregates. For the model of exciton-coupled BChl c linear chains within a unit building block, the theory predicted an increase in the hyperchromism/hypochromism with the increase in the number of molecules per chain and a decrease in it with the increase in the number of chains. It was previously shown that this model ensured a good fit with spectroscopy experiments and approximated the BChl c low packing density in vivo. The presented experimental and theoretical studies of the Q-/B-band hyperchromism/hypochromism permitted us to conclude that the unit building block of Cfx. aurantiacus chlorosomes comprises of several short BChl c chains.This conclusion is in accordance with previous linear and nonlinear spectroscopy studies on Cfx. aurantiacus chlorosomes.

Variability of aggregation extent of light-harvesting pigments in peripheral antenna of Chloroflexus aurantiacus

The stationary ground state and femtosecond time-resolved absorption spectra as well as spectra of circular dichroism were measured at room temperature using freshly prepared samples of chlorosomes isolated from fresh cultures of the green bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus. Cultures were grown by using as inoculum the same seed culture but under different light conditions. All measured spectra clearly showed the red shift of BChl c Q_y bands (up to 5 nm) for low-light chlorosomes as compared to high-light ones, together with concomitant narrowing of these bands and increasing of their amplitudes. The sizes of the unit BChl c aggregates of the high-light-chlorosomes and the low-light ones were estimated. The fit of all experimental spectra was obtained within the framework of our model proposed before (Fetisova et al., Biophys J 71:995-101, 1996). The model assumes that a unit building block of the BChl c antenna has a form of a tubular aggregate of L = 6 linear single or double exciton-coupled pigment chains within a rod element, with the pigment packing density, approximating that in vivo. The simultaneous fit of all experimental spectra gave the number of pigments in each individual linear pigment chain N = 4 and N = 6 for the high-light and the low-light BChl c unit building blocks, respectively. The size of a unit building block in the BChl c antenna was found to vary from L × N = 24 to L × N = 36 exciton-coupled BChl c molecules being governed by the growth-light intensity. All sets of findings for Chloroflexus aurantiacus chlorosomes demonstrated the biologically expedient light-controlled variability, predicted by us, of the extent of BChl c aggregation within a unit building block in this antenna.

Orientation of B798 BChl a Q y transition dipoles in Chloroflexus aurantiacus chlorosomes: polarized transient absorption spectroscopy studies

Isotropic and anisotropic pump-probe spectra of Cfx. aurantiacus chlorosomes were measured on the fs-through ps-time scales for the B798 BChl a Q y band upon direct excitation of the B798 band at T = 293 K and T = 90 K. Upon direct excitation of the B798 band, the anisotropy parameter value r(λ) was constant within the whole BChl a Q y band at any delay time at both temperatures. The value of the anisotropy parameter r decayed from r = 0.4 at both temperatures (at 200 fs delay time after excitation) to the steady-state values r = 0.1 at T = 293 K and to r = 0.09 at T = 90 K (at 30 ÷ 100 ps delay time after excitation). The results were considered within the framework of the model of uniaxial orientation distribution of BChl-a transition dipoles within a single Cfx. aurantiacus chlorosome. This implies that the B798 BChl a Q y transition dipoles, randomly distributed around the normal to the baseplate plane, form the angle θ with the plane. For this model, the theoretical dependence of the steady-state anisotropy parameter r on the angle θ was derived. According to the theoretical dependence r(θ), the angle θ corresponding to the experimental steady-state value r = 0.1 at T = 293 K was found to equal 55°. As the temperature drops to 90 K, the angle θ decreases to 54°.

The Eighth Bacteriochlorophyll Completes the Excitation Energy Funnel in the FMO Protein

The Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) light-harvesting protein connects the outer antenna system (chlorosome/baseplate) with the reaction center complex in green sulfur bacteria. Since its first structure determination in the mid-70s, this pigment-protein complex has become an important model system to study excitation energy transfer. Recently, an additional bacteriochlorophyll a (the eighth) pigment was discovered in each subunit of this homotrimer. Our structure-based calculations of the optical properties of the FMO protein demonstrate that the eighth pigment is the linker to the baseplate, confirming recent suggestions from crystallographic studies.

Optoelectronic energy transfer at novel biohybrid interfaces using light harvesting complexes from Chloroflexus aurantiacus

In nature, nanoscale supramolecular light harvesting complexes initiate the photosynthetic energy collection process at high quantum efficiencies. In this study, the distinctive antenna structure from Chloroflexus aurantiacusthe chlorosomeis assessed for potential exploitation in novel biohybrid optoelectronic devices. Electrochemical characterization of bacterial fragments containing intact chlorosomes with the photosynthetic apparatus show an increase in the charge storage density near the working electrode upon light stimulation and suggest that chlorosomes contribute approximately one-third of the overall photocurrent. Further, isolated chlorosomes (without additional photosynthetic components, e.g., reaction centers, biochemical mediators) produce a photocurrent (approximately 8-10 nA) under light saturation conditions. Correlative experiments indicate that the main chlorosome pigment, bacteriochlorophyll-c, contributes to the photocurrent via an oxidative mechanism. The results reported herein are the first to demonstrate that isolated chlorosomes (lipid-enclosed sacs of pigments) directly transduce light energy in an electrochemical manner, laying an alternative, biomimetic approach for designing photosensitized interfaces in biofuel cells and biomedical devices, such as bioenhanced retinal prosthetics.

Anisotropic distribution of emitting transition dipoles in chlorosome from Chlorobium tepidum: fluorescence polarization anisotropy study of single chlorosomes

The polarization anisotropy of fluorescence spectra from single chlorosomes isolated from a green sulfur bacterium, Chlorobium (Cb.) tepidum, was observed at 13 K. As the polarizer was rotated, the intensities of the fluorescence bands of both bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-c self-aggregates and BChl-a in baseplate proteins showed clear oscillations. From the oscillation, the values of the degree of polarization (DP) and the phase shift (PS) between the BChl-c and BChl-a bands were determined for each single chlorosome. The DP versus PS plot for Cb. tepidum chlorosomes showed linear correlations between the PS and the DP values for both BChl-c and BChl-a fluorescence bands. This tendency could be explained from a simulation assuming a random orientation of chlorosomes and a triaxial orientation distribution of emitting transition dipoles within a single chlorosome. The intensity ratios among the X-/Y-/Z-principal transition dipoles were estimated to be 0.3/0.5/1 and 1/0.6/0.1 for the BChl-c and BChl-a fluorescence bands, respectively. Here, the X-, Y-, and Z-axes are perpendicular, parallel to the cytoplasmic membrane, and parallel to the chlorosome long axis, respectively. A theoretical calculation based on the exciton theory was conducted to reproduce the observed triaxial orientation distribution of emitting transition dipoles. The simulation revealed that a deformation introduced to the circular cross section of the rod-shaped BChl-c self-aggregates could qualitatively reproduce results of this study.

Bacteriochlorophyllide c C-8(2) and C-12(1) methyltransferases are essential for adaptation to low light in Chlorobaculum tepidum

Bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c is the major photosynthetic pigment in the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum, in which it forms protein-independent aggregates that function in light harvesting. BChls c, d, and e are found only in chlorosome-producing bacteria and are unique among chlorophylls because of methylations that occur at the C-8(2) and C-12(1) carbons. Two genes required for these methylation reactions were identified and designated bchQ (CT1777) and bchR (CT1320). BchQ and BchR are members of the radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) protein superfamily; each has sequence motifs to ligate a [4Fe-4S] cluster, and we propose that they catalyze the methyl group transfers. bchQ, bchR, and bchQ bchR mutants of C. tepidum were constructed and characterized. The bchQ mutant produced BChl c that was not methylated at C-8(2), the bchR mutant produced BChl c that was not methylated at C-12(1), and the double mutant produced [8-ethyl, 12-methyl]-BChl c that lacked methylation at both the C-8(2) and C-12(1) positions. Compared to the wild type, the Qy absorption bands for BChl c in the mutant cells were narrower and blue shifted to various extents. All three mutants grew slower and had a lower cellular BChl c content than the wild type, an effect that was especially pronounced at low light intensities. These observations show that the C-8(2) and C-12(1) methylations of BChl c play important roles in the adaptation of C. tepidum to low light intensity. The data additionally suggest that these methylations also directly or indirectly affect the regulation of the BChl c biosynthetic pathway.

Low-temperature fluorescence from single chlorosomes, photosynthetic antenna complexes of green filamentous and sulfur bacteria

Fluorescence spectra of single chlorosomes isolated from a green filamentous bacterium (Chloroflexus (Cfl.) aurantiacus) and a green sulfur bacterium (Chlorobium (Cb.) tepidum) were measured by using a confocal laser microscope at 13 K. Chlorosomes were frozen either in a liquid solution (floating chlorosome) or on a quartz plate after being adsorbed (adsorbed chlorosome). Fluorescence peak wavelengths were shorter for the adsorbed single chlorosomes than for the floating ones. Single floating Cfl. chlorosomes showed a distribution of fluorescence peak positions having a center at 759.0 nm with a full width at half maximum of 6.3 nm. Single floating Cb. chlorosomes showed a 782.7 nm center with a full width at half-maximum of 3.4 nm. The distribution shifted to the blue and became wider with increasing temperature, especially in Cb. chlorosomes, suggesting a large excitonic density of states just above the lowest level. Energy transfer from BChl-c aggregates to BChl-a molecules in the baseplate proteins was observed in the floating chlorosomes but not in the adsorbed ones. A positive correlation was found between the peak wavelength of BChl-c fluorescence and the intensity of BChl-a fluorescence in single Cfl. chlorosomes. The results suggest that the BChl-c aggregates with longer wavelengths of the fluorescence peaks have a more efficient Förster-type energy transfer to the baseplate BChl-a.

A refined model of the chlorosomal antennae of the green bacterium Chlorobium tepidum from proton chemical shift constraints obtained with high-field 2-D and 3-D MAS NMR dipolar correlation spectroscopy

Heteronuclear 2-D and 3-D magic-angle spinning NMR dipolar correlation spectroscopy was applied to determine solid-state (1)H shifts for aggregated bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) in uniformly (13)C-enriched light harvesting chlorosomes of the green photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobium tepidum. A complete assignment of 29 different observable resonances of the 61 protons of the aggregated BChl c in the intact chlorosomes is obtained. Aggregation shifts relative to monomeric BChl c in solution are detected for protons attached to rings I, II, and III/V and to their side chains. The 2(1)-H(3), 3(2)-H(3), and 3(1)-H resonances are shifted upfield by -2.2, -1, and -3.3 ppm, respectively, relative to monomeric BChl c in solution. Although the resonances are inhomogeneously broadened and reveal considerable global structural heterogeneity, the 5-CH and the 7-Me responses are doubled, which provides evidence for the existence of at least two relatively well-defined structurally different arrangements. Ab initio quantum chemical modeling studies were performed to refine a model for the self-assembled BChl c with two different types of BChl stacks. The BChl in the stacks can adopt either anti- or syn-configuration of the coordinative bond, where anti and syn designate the relative orientation of the Mg-OH bond relative to the direction of the 17-17(1) bond. The analogy between aggregation shifts for BChl c in the chlorosome and for self-assembled chlorophyll a/H(2)O is explored, and a bilayer model for the tubular supra-structure of sheets of BChl c is proposed, from a homology modeling approach.

The influence of the presence of lipid on the aggregation of 8,12-diethyl farnesyl bacteriochlorophyll c located in adsorbed layers and monolayers

The photoacoustic spectra and time-resolved delayed luminescence spectra in the microsecond time range were measured for layers of 8,12-diethyl farnesyl bacteriochlorophyll c adsorbed on quartz supports by solvent evaporation and as Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers. Both types of model system were also investigated with the addition of lipid. The data showed a very strong influence of lipid addition on pigment aggregation. In samples with synthetic and natural lipid addition, the pigments were found to be predominantly in the monomeric and dimeric states, whereas in the same type of sample without lipid, the pigments were aggregated to a higher degree. The influence of the presence of lipid on the aggregation of bacteriochlorophyll c in monolayers and adsorbed layers may also suggest that the contact of various pigment molecules with the lipids surrounding the chlorosome may influence the formation of various pigment aggregates in vivo. The synthetic lipid L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl and the natural lipid L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine type IVS from soy beans were used. In the latter case, only adsorbed layers were investigated. Our interpretation is preliminary as only one 8,12-diethyl farnesyl bacteriochlorophyll c homologue was present in our systems.