Assembly of the water-oxidizing complex in photosystem II

Conformational control over proton-coupled electron transfer in metalloenzymes

From the reduction of dinitrogen to the oxidation of water, the chemical transformations catalysed by metalloenzymes underlie global geochemical and biochemical cycles. These reactions represent some of the most kinetically and thermodynamically challenging processes known and require the complex choreography of the fundamental building blocks of nature, electrons and protons, to be carried out with utmost precision and accuracy. The rate-determining step of catalysis in many metalloenzymes consists of a protein structural rearrangement, suggesting that nature has evolved to leverage macroscopic changes in protein molecular structure to control subatomic changes in metallocofactor electronic structure. The proton-coupled electron transfer mechanisms operative in nitrogenase, photosystem II and ribonucleotide reductase exemplify this interplay between molecular and electronic structural control. We present the culmination of decades of study on each of these systems and clarify what is known regarding the interplay between structural changes and functional outcomes in these metalloenzyme linchpins.

Intermediate Formation via Proton Release during the Photoassembly of the Water-Oxidizing Mn4CaO5 Cluster in Photosystem II

The early stages of the photoassembly of the water-oxidizing Mn4CaO5 cluster in spinach photosystem II (PSII) were monitored using rapid-scan time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Carboxylate stretching and the amide I bands, which appeared upon the flash-induced oxidation of a Mn2+ ion, changed their features during the subsequent dark rearrangement process, indicating the relocation of the Mn3+ ion concomitant with protein conformational changes. Monitoring the isotope-edited FTIR signals of a Mes buffer estimated that nearly two protons are released upon the Mn2+ oxidation. Quantum chemical calculations for models of the Mn binding site suggested that the proton of a water ligand is transferred to D1-H332 through a hydrogen bond upon the Mn3+ formation and then released to the bulk as the Mn3+ shifts to bind to this histidine. Another Mn2+ ion may be inserted to form a binuclear Mn3+Mn2+ complex, whose structure was calculated to be stabilized by a μ-hydroxo bridge hydrogen-bonded with deprotonated D1-H337. Nearly one additional proton can thus be released from this histidine, assuming that it is mostly protonated before illumination. Alternatively, a proton could be released by further insertion of Ca2+, forming a Mn3+Mn2+Ca2+ complex with another hydroxo ligand connecting Ca2+ to the Mn3+Mn2+ complex.

Rapid-Scan Fourier Transform Infrared Monitoring of the Photoactivation Process in Cyanobacterial Photosystem II

The catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation, the Mn4CaO5 cluster, in photosystem II (PSII) is known to be formed by a light-induced process called photoactivation. However, details of its molecular mechanism remain unresolved. In this study, we monitored the photoactivation process in cyanobacterial PSII using rapid-scan, time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The Mn3+/Mn2+ FTIR difference spectra of PSII, in which D1-D170 was specifically 13C labeled, and PSII from the D1-D170A, D1-E189A, and D1-D342A mutants provide strong evidence that the initial Mn2+ is coordinated by D1-D170 and D1-E189. Protein conformational changes and relocation of photo-oxidized Mn3+ in the dark rearrangement process were detected as slow-phase signals in the amide I and carboxylate regions, whereas similar signals were not observed in D1-E189A PSII. It is thus proposed that relocation of Mn3+ via D1-E189 induces the conformational changes of the proteins to form proper Mn binding sites in the mature protein conformation.

High-efficiency oxygen evolution by photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex containing 3Mn per reaction center

Ca-depleted photosystem II membranes obtained by treatment with acidic buffer do not contain Ca²⁺ in the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster but contain all extrinsic proteins protecting this cluster (PSII(-Ca/low pH)). However, unlike native photosystem II, Mn cluster in PSII(-Ca/low pH) samples is available for small-sized reductants. Using this property, we investigated the substitution possibility of Mn cation(s) with Fe cation(s) to obtain a chimeric cluster in PSII(-Ca/low pH) samples containing extrinsic proteins. We found that Fe(II) cation replaces Mn cation at pH 6.5, however, PSII(-Ca/low pH) membranes with the 3Mn1Fe chimeric cluster in the oxygen-evolving complex evolve O₂ with high intensity in the presence of exogenous Ca²⁺. The O₂ evolution rate is about 80% of the same rate in PSII(-Ca/low pH) membranes.

Isolation of a novel heterodimeric PSII complex via strep-tagged PsbO

The multi-subunit membrane protein complex photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water and with this the initial step of photosynthetic electron transport in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its biogenesis is coordinated by a network of auxiliary proteins that facilitate the stepwise assembly of individual subunits and cofactors, forming various intermediate complexes until fully functional mature PSII is present at the end of the process. In the current study, we purified PSII complexes from a mutant line of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus vestitus BP-1 in which the extrinsic subunit PsbO, characteristic for active PSII, was fused with an N-terminal Twin-Strep-tag. Three distinct PSII complexes were separated by ion-exchange chromatography after the initial affinity purification. Two complexes differ in their oligomeric state (monomeric and dimeric) but share the typical subunit composition of mature PSII. They are characterized by the very high oxygen evolving activity of approx. 6000 μmol O₂·(mg Chl·h)^-1. Analysis of the third (heterodimeric) PSII complex revealed lower oxygen evolving activity of approx. 3000 μmol O₂·(mg Chl·h)^-1 and a manganese content of 2.7 (±0.2) per reaction center compared to 3.7 (±0.2) of fully active PSII. Mass spectrometry and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy further indicated that PsbO is partially replaced by Psb27 in this PSII fraction, thus implying a role of this complex in PSII repair.

Mass spectrometry analysis of the photosystem II assembly factor Psb27 revealed variations in its lipid modification

The assembly of large, multi-cofactor membrane protein complexes like photosystem II (PSII) requires a high level of coordination. The process is facilitated by a large network of auxiliary proteins that bind transiently to unassembled subunits, preassembled modules or intermediate states of PSII, which are comprised of a subset of subunits. However, analysis of these immature, partially assembled PSII complexes is hampered by their low abundance and intrinsic instability. In this study, PSII was purified from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus via Twin-Strep-tagged CP43 and further separated by ion exchange chromatography into mature and immature complexes. Mass spectrometry analysis of the immature Psb27-PSII intermediate revealed six different Psb27 proteoforms with distinct lipid modifications. The maturation and functional role of thylakoid localized lipoproteins are discussed.

Location of two Mn2+ affinity sites in photosystem II detected by pulsed electron-electron double resonance

In this study, we identified two Mn²⁺ sites in apo-Photosystem II (PSII) using the pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR). A Mn²⁺ ion was bound to apo-PSII on the deactivation of the oxygen-evolving complex. The electron-electron magnetic dipole interaction of the Mn²⁺ to Y_D^· was estimated to be 2.4 MHz. The site was assigned at the position between His332 and Glu189 in the D1 polypeptide, which is close to the Mn1 site in mature PS II. Using recent structures observed under electron microscopes (EM), the location of the Mn²⁺ site on photoactivation was reevaluated. The position between Asp170 and Glu189 in the D1 polypeptide is a good candidate for the initial high-affinity site for photoactivation. Based on a comparison with the PELDOR results, the two EM structures were evaluated.

High-light-inducible proteins HliA and HliB: pigment binding and protein-protein interactions

High-light-inducible proteins (Hlips) are single-helix transmembrane proteins that are essential for the survival of cyanobacteria under stress conditions. The model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 contains four Hlip isoforms (HliA-D) that associate with Photosystem II (PSII) during its assembly. HliC and HliD are known to form pigmented (hetero)dimers that associate with the newly synthesized PSII reaction center protein D1 in a configuration that allows thermal dissipation of excitation energy. Thus, it is expected that they photoprotect the early steps of PSII biogenesis. HliA and HliB, on the other hand, bind the PSII inner antenna protein CP47, but the mode of interaction and pigment binding have not been resolved. Here, we isolated His-tagged HliA and HliB from Synechocystis and show that these two very similar Hlips do not interact with each other as anticipated, rather they form HliAC and HliBC heterodimers. Both dimers bind Chl and β-carotene in a quenching conformation and associate with the CP47 assembly module as well as later PSII assembly intermediates containing CP47. In the absence of HliC, the cellular levels of HliA and HliB were reduced, and both bound atypically to HliD. We postulate a model in which HliAC-, HliBC-, and HliDC-dimers are the functional Hlip units in Synechocystis. The smallest Hlip, HliC, acts as a 'generalist' that prevents unspecific dimerization of PSII assembly intermediates, while the N-termini of 'specialists' (HliA, B or D) dictate interactions with proteins other than Hlips.

Structural and dynamic insights into Mn4Ca cluster-depleted Photosystem II

In the first steps of natural oxygenic photosynthesis, sunlight is used to oxidize water molecules to protons, electrons and molecular oxygen. This reaction takes place on the Mn₄Ca cluster located in the reaction centre of Photosystem II (PSII), where the cluster is assembled and continuously repaired through a process known as photoactivation. Understanding the molecular details of such a process has important implications in different fields, in particular inspiring synthesis and repair strategies for artificial photosynthesis devices. In this regard, a detailed structural and dynamic characterization of Photosystem II lacking a Mn₄Ca cluster, namely apo PSII, is a prerequisite for the full comprehension of the photoactivation. Recently, the structure of the apo PSII was resolved at 2.55 Å resolution [Zhang et al., eLife, 2017, 6, e26933], suggesting a pre-organized structure of the protein cavity hosting the cluster. Anyway, the question of whether these findings are a feature of the method used remains open. Here, by means of classical Molecular Dynamics simulations, we characterized the structural and dynamic features of the apo PSII for different protonation states of the cluster cavity. Albeit an overall conformational stability common to all investigated systems, we found significant deviations in the conformation of the side chains of the active site with respect to the X-ray positions. Our findings suggest that not all residues acting as Mn ligands are pre-organized prior to the Mn₄Ca formation and previous local conformational changes are required in order to bind the first Mn ion in the high-affinity binding site.

Structural insights into photosystem II assembly

Biogenesis of photosystem II (PSII), nature's water-splitting catalyst, is assisted by auxiliary proteins that form transient complexes with PSII components to facilitate stepwise assembly events. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we solved the structure of such a PSII assembly intermediate from Thermosynechococcus elongatus at 2.94 Å resolution. It contains three assembly factors (Psb27, Psb28 and Psb34) and provides detailed insights into their molecular function. Binding of Psb28 induces large conformational changes at the PSII acceptor side, which distort the binding pocket of the mobile quinone (Q_B) and replace the bicarbonate ligand of non-haem iron with glutamate, a structural motif found in reaction centres of non-oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. These results reveal mechanisms that protect PSII from damage during biogenesis until water splitting is activated. Our structure further demonstrates how the PSII active site is prepared for the incorporation of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, which performs the unique water-splitting reaction.

Early-stage formation of (hydr)oxo bridges in transition-metal catalysts for photosynthetic processes

Ab initio simulations have been used to assess reaction pathways for the formation of M–(hydr)oxo–M (M = Co, Mn, Ni) bridges from M(ii) aqueous solutions, as early-stage building blocks of transition-metal catalysts for oxygen evolution.

Structural Dynamics of a Protein Domain Relevant to the Water-Oxidizing Complex in Photosystem II as Visualized by High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy

Photosystem II (PSII) is a multiprotein complex that has a function of light-driven water oxidation. The catalytic site of water oxidation is the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, which is bound to the lumenal side of PSII through amino acid residues from the D1 and CP43 proteins and is further surrounded by the extrinsic proteins. In this study, we have for the first time visualized the structural dynamics of the lumenal region of a PSII core complex using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM). The HS-AFM images of a PSII membrane fragment showed stepwise dissociation of the PsbP and PsbO extrinsic proteins. Upon subsequent destruction of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, the lumenal domain of CP43 was found to undergo a conformational fluctuation. The observed structural flexibility and conformational fluctuation of the CP43 lumenal domain are suggested to play important roles in the biogenesis of PSII and the photoassembly of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster.

Identification of two two-component signal transduction mutants with enhanced sucrose biosynthesis in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

Metabolic engineering of the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (Syn7942), synthesizing sucrose as the only compatible solute upon salt stress, has greatly improved its sucrose productivity. However, the signaling and regulatory mechanisms of this physiological process are still unknown. To know more about these aspects, a library of inactivation mutants for all 44 predicted signal transduction genes of Syn7942 was constructed. By evaluating sucrose production, two two-component signal transduction mutants Δ1125 and Δ1404, in which Synpcc7942_1125 and Synpcc7942_1404 was inactivated, respectively, were identified. They exhibited stably enhanced sucrose production, but the growth and the expression of sps encoding sucrose-phosphate synthase under salt stress were not affected, indicating that the corresponding signal transduction proteins do not regulate salt-induced sucrose synthesis by directly regulating sps expression. Moreover, the glycogen accumulation was enhanced in Δ1125 and Δ1404, and the salt stress-intensified photodamage of these mutants was also found to be relieved. These results indicated that the basic cell metabolisms such as glycogen metabolism and photosynthesis of the mutants were affected by gene inactivation, which might further affect salt-induced sucrose synthesis. Further studies on gene functions and signaling pathways or networks of Synpcc7942_1125 and Synpcc7942_1404 would reveal more details about the molecular bases for the observed phenotypes of Δ1125 and Δ1404.

HSP90C interacts with PsbO1 and facilitates its thylakoid distribution from chloroplast stroma in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis plastidic HSP90C is an HSP90 family molecular chaperone that is required for chloroplast development and function. To understand the mechanism of action of HSP90C within the chloroplast, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screening and revealed it interacts directly with the photosystem II extrinsic protein PsbO1, which performs a canonical function in the thylakoid lumen. To understand the biological significance of HSP90C-PsbO1 interaction, we investigated the role of HSP90C in modulating the stromal and thylakoid distribution of PsbO1GFP fusion protein. Fusion to GFP significantly delays the PsbO1 thylakoid transport and induces a variegation phenotype. Overexpression of HSP90C promotes the thylakoid distribution of PsbO1GFP and alleviates the leaf variegation. By tracking the chloroplast maturation during photomorphogenesis, we observed PsbO1GFP tends to form distinct fluorescent clusters within the stroma with delayed thylakoid membrane biogenesis, while HSP90C overexpression corrects these adverse effects. We also demonstrated that active HSP90C function is specifically required for stable accumulation of mature PsbO1GFP in thylakoid by using specific inhibitor geldanamycin. This study therefore not only identified novel HSP90C interactors, but also reports for the first time that PsbO1 enroute from the cytoplasm to thylakoid lumen is tightly regulated by the HSP90C chaperone complex in plastid stroma; whereas the proper HSP90C homeostasis is also critical for chloroplast maturation and function.

Creation of a 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II and investigation of its functional activity

Extraction of Mn cations from the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Ca-depleted PSII membranes (PSII[-Ca,4Mn]) by reductants like hydroquinone (H₂Q) occurs with lower efficiency at acidic pH (2Mn/reaction center [RC] are extracted at pH5.7) than at neutral pH (3Mn/RC are extracted at pH6.5) [Semin et al. Photosynth. Res. 125 (2015) 95]. Fe(II) also extracts Mn cations from PSII(-Ca,4Mn), but only 2Mn/RC at pH6.5, forming a heteronuclear 2Mn/2Fe cluster [Semin and Seibert, J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 48 (2016) 227]. Here we investigated the efficiency of Mn extraction by Fe(II) at acidic pH and found that Fe(II) cations can extract only 1Mn/RC from PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes at pH 5.7, forming a 3Mn/1Fe cluster. Also we found that the presence of Fe cations in a heteronuclear cluster (2Mn/2Fe) increases the resistance of the remaining Mn cations to H₂Q action, since H₂Q can extract Mn cations from homonuclear Mn clusters of PSII(-Ca,4Mn) and PSII(-Ca,2Mn) membranes but not from the heteronuclear cluster in PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) membranes. H₂Q also cannot extract Mn from PSII membranes obtained by incubation of PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes with Fe(II) cations at pH5.7, which suggests the formation of a heteronuclear 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the OEC. Functional activity of PSII with a 3Mn/1Fe cluster was investigated. PSII preparations with a 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the OEC are able to photoreduce the exogenous electron acceptor 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, possibly due to incomplete oxidation of water molecules as is the case with PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) samples. However, in the contrast to PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) samples PSII(-Ca,3Mn,1Fe) membranes can evolve O₂ at a low rate in the presence of exogenous Ca²⁺ (at about 27% of the rate of O₂ evolution in native PSII membranes). The explanation for this phenomenon (either water splitting and production of molecular O₂ by the 3Mn/1Fe cluster or apparent O₂ evolution due to minor contamination of PSII(3Mn,1Fe) samples with PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes) is discussed.

Structural insights into the light-driven auto-assembly process of the water-oxidizing Mn4CaO5-cluster in photosystem II

In plants, algae and cyanobacteria, Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven splitting of water at a protein-bound Mn₄CaO₅-cluster, the water-oxidizing complex (WOC). In the photosynthetic organisms, the light-driven formation of the WOC from dissolved metal ions is a key process because it is essential in both initial activation and continuous repair of PSII. Structural information is required for understanding of this chaperone-free metal-cluster assembly. For the first time, we obtained a structure of PSII from Thermosynechococcus elongatus without the Mn₄CaO₅-cluster. Surprisingly, cluster-removal leaves the positions of all coordinating amino acid residues and most nearby water molecules largely unaffected, resulting in a pre-organized ligand shell for kinetically competent and error-free photo-assembly of the Mn₄CaO₅-cluster. First experiments initiating (i) partial disassembly and (ii) partial re-assembly after complete depletion of the Mn₄CaO₅-cluster agree with a specific bi-manganese cluster, likely a di-µ-oxo bridged pair of Mn(III) ions, as an assembly intermediate.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26933.001

Photoactivation: The Light-Driven Assembly of the Water Oxidation Complex of Photosystem II

Photosynthetic water oxidation is catalyzed by the Mn4CaO5 cluster of photosystem II. The assembly of the Mn4O5Ca requires light and involves a sequential process called photoactivation. This process harnesses the charge-separation of the photochemical reaction center and the coordination environment provided by the amino acid side chains of the protein to oxidize and organize the incoming manganese ions to form the oxo-bridged metal cluster capable of H2O-oxidation. Although most aspects of this assembly process remain poorly understood, recent advances in the elucidation of the crystal structure of the fully assembled cyanobacterial PSII complex help in the interpretation of the rich history of experiments designed to understand this process. Moreover, recent insights on the structure and stability of the constituent ions of the Mn4CaO5 cluster may guide future experiments. Here we consider the literature and suggest possible models of assembly including one involving single Mn(2+) oxidation site for all Mn but requiring ion relocation.

The Role of Slr0151, a Tetratricopeptide Repeat Protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, during Photosystem II Assembly and Repair

The assembly and repair of photosystem II (PSII) is facilitated by a variety of assembly factors. Among those, the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein Slr0151 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (hereafter Synechocystis) has previously been assigned a repair function under high light conditions (Yang et al., 2014). Here, we show that inactivation of slr0151 affects thylakoid membrane ultrastructure even under normal light conditions. Moreover, the level and localization of Slr0151 are affected in a variety of PSII-related mutants. In particular, the data suggest a close functional relationship between Slr0151 and Sll0933, which interacts with Ycf48 during PSII assembly and is homologous to PAM68 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a punctate distribution of Slr0151 within several different membrane types in Synechocystis cells.

Reconstructing the Origin of Oxygenic Photosynthesis: Do Assembly and Photoactivation Recapitulate Evolution?

Due to the great abundance of genomes and protein structures that today span a broad diversity of organisms, now more than ever before, it is possible to reconstruct the molecular evolution of protein complexes at an incredible level of detail. Here, I recount the story of oxygenic photosynthesis or how an ancestral reaction center was transformed into a sophisticated photochemical machine capable of water oxidation. First, I review the evolution of all reaction center proteins in order to highlight that Photosystem II and Photosystem I, today only found in the phylum Cyanobacteria, branched out very early in the history of photosynthesis. Therefore, it is very unlikely that they were acquired via horizontal gene transfer from any of the described phyla of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. Second, I present a new evolutionary scenario for the origin of the CP43 and CP47 antenna of Photosystem II. I suggest that the antenna proteins originated from the remodeling of an entire Type I reaction center protein and not from the partial gene duplication of a Type I reaction center gene. Third, I highlight how Photosystem II and Photosystem I reaction center proteins interact with small peripheral subunits in remarkably similar patterns and hypothesize that some of this complexity may be traced back to the most ancestral reaction center. Fourth, I outline the sequence of events that led to the origin of the Mn4CaO5 cluster and show that the most ancestral Type II reaction center had some of the basic structural components that would become essential in the coordination of the water-oxidizing complex. Finally, I collect all these ideas, starting at the origin of the first reaction center proteins and ending with the emergence of the water-oxidizing cluster, to hypothesize that the complex and well-organized process of assembly and photoactivation of Photosystem II recapitulate evolutionary transitions in the path to oxygenic photosynthesis.

Critical Assessment of Protein Cross-Linking and Molecular Docking: An Updated Model for the Interaction Between Photosystem II and Psb27

Photosystem II (PSII) is a large membrane-protein complex composed of about 20 subunits and various cofactors, which mediates the light-driven oxidation of water and reduction of plastoquinone, and is part of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain that is localized in the thylakoid membrane of cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The stepwise assembly of PSII is guided and facilitated by numerous auxiliary proteins that play specific roles in this spatiotemporal process. Psb27, a small protein localized in the thylakoid lumen, appears to associate with an intermediate PSII complex that is involved in assembly of the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Its precise binding position on the PSII intermediate remains elusive, as previous approaches to the localization of Psb27 on PSII have yielded contradictory results. This was our motivation for a critical assessment of previously used methods and the development of an improved analysis pipeline. The combination of chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry (CX-MS) with isotope-coded cross-linkers was refined and validated with reference to the PSII crystal structure. Psb27 was localized on the PSII surface adjacent to the large lumenal domain of CP43 on the basis of a cross-link connecting Psb27-K91 to CP43-K381. Additional contacts associating Psb27 with CP47 and the C-termini of D1 and D2 were detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. This information was used to model the binding of Psb27 to the PSII surface in a region that is occupied by PsbV in the mature complex.

Analysis of photosystem II biogenesis in cyanobacteria

Photosystem II (PSII), a large multisubunit membrane protein complex found in the thylakoid membranes of cyanobacteria, algae and plants, catalyzes light-driven oxygen evolution from water and reduction of plastoquinone. Biogenesis of PSII requires coordinated assembly of at least 20 protein subunits, as well as incorporation of various organic and inorganic cofactors. The stepwise assembly process is facilitated by numerous protein factors that have been identified in recent years. Further analysis of this process requires the development or refinement of specific methods for the identification of novel assembly factors and, in particular, elucidation of the unique role of each. Here we summarize current knowledge of PSII biogenesis in cyanobacteria, focusing primarily on the impact of methodological advances and innovations. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organization and dynamics of bioenergetic systems in bacteria, edited by Conrad Mullineaux.

Oxyanion induced variations in domain structure for amorphous cobalt oxide oxygen evolving catalysts, resolved by X-ray pair distribution function analysis

Amorphous thin film oxygen evolving catalysts, OECs, of first-row transition metals show promise to serve as self-assembling photoanode materials in solar-driven, photoelectrochemical `artificial leaf' devices. This report demonstrates the ability to use high-energy X-ray scattering and atomic pair distribution function analysis, PDF, to resolve structure in amorphous metal oxide catalyst films. The analysis is applied here to resolve domain structure differences induced by oxyanion substitution during the electrochemical assembly of amorphous cobalt oxide catalyst films, Co-OEC. PDF patterns for Co-OEC films formed using phosphate, Pi, methylphosphate, MPi, and borate, Bi, electrolyte buffers show that the resulting domains vary in size following the sequence Pi < MPi < Bi. The increases in domain size for CoMPi and CoBi were found to be correlated with increases in the contributions from bilayer and trilayer stacked domains having structures intermediate between those of the LiCoOO and CoO(OH) mineral forms. The lattice structures and offset stacking of adjacent layers in the partially stacked CoMPi and CoBi domains were best matched to those in the LiCoOO layered structure. The results demonstrate the ability of PDF analysis to elucidate features of domain size, structure, defect content and mesoscale organization for amorphous metal oxide catalysts that are not readily accessed by other X-ray techniques. PDF structure analysis is shown to provide a way to characterize domain structures in different forms of amorphous oxide catalysts, and hence provide an opportunity to investigate correlations between domain structure and catalytic activity.

Multiple copies of the PsbQ protein in a cyanobacterial photosystem II assembly intermediate complex

Photosystem II (PSII) undergoes frequent damage owing to the demanding electron transfer chemistry it performs. To sustain photosynthetic activity, damaged PSII undergoes a complex repair cycle consisting of many transient intermediate complexes. By purifying PSII from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using a histidine-tag on the PsbQ protein, a lumenal extrinsic subunit, a novel PSII assembly intermediate was isolated in addition to the mature PSII complex. This new complex, which we refer to as PSII-Q4, contained four copies of the PsbQ protein per PSII monomer, instead of the expected one copy. In addition, PSII-Q4 lacked two other lumenal extrinsic proteins, PsbU and PsbV, which are present in the mature PSII complex. We suggest that PSII-Q4 is a late PSII assembly intermediate that is formed just before the binding of PsbU and PsbV, and we incorporate these results into an updated model of PSII assembly.

Location of the High-Affinity Mn(2+) Site in Photosystem II Detected by PELDOR

The location of the high-affinity Mn(2+) site in apo-photosystem (PS) II was investigated by pulsed EPR. The electron-electron magnetic dipole interaction of 1.7 MHz between the YD(•) radical and Mn(2+) ion was observed using the pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR) technique, and the Mn(2+) ion was bound to one apo-PS II in the absence and presence of Ca(2+). PELDOR signals were calculated using the previously determined spin distribution on the YD(•) radical and its known position in the crystal structure, assuming that the specific Mn(2+) site was located in the oxygen evolving complex. The results show that the high-affinity Mn(2+) site is located at the position denoted by Mn4(A) in the native crystal structure. The Mn(2+) is coordinated with axial ligands Asp170 and Glu333 in the D1 polypeptide.

Artificial photosynthesis: understanding water splitting in nature

In the context of a global artificial photosynthesis (GAP) project, we review our current work on nature's water splitting catalyst. In a recent report (Cox et al. 2014 Science 345, 804-808 (doi:10.1126/science.1254910)), we showed that the catalyst-a Mn4O5Ca cofactor-converts into an 'activated' form immediately prior to the O-O bond formation step. This activated state, which represents an all Mn(IV) complex, is similar to the structure observed by X-ray crystallography but requires the coordination of an additional water molecule. Such a structure locates two oxygens, both derived from water, in close proximity, which probably come together to form the product O2 molecule. We speculate that formation of the activated catalyst state requires inherent structural flexibility. These features represent new design criteria for the development of biomimetic and bioinspired model systems for water splitting catalysts using first-row transition metals with the aim of delivering globally deployable artificial photosynthesis technologies.

Simultaneous measurements of photocurrents and H2O2 evolution from solvent exposed photosystem 2 complexes

In plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, photosystem 2 (PS2) catalyzes the light driven oxidation of water. The main products of this reaction are protons and molecular oxygen. In vitro, however, it was demonstrated that reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide are obtained as partially reduced side products. The transition from oxygen to hydrogen peroxide evolution might be induced by light triggered degradation of PS2's active center. Herein, the authors propose an analytical approach to investigate light induced bioelectrocatalytic processes such as PS2 catalyzed water splitting. By combining chronoamperometry and fluorescence microscopy, the authors can simultaneously monitor the photocurrent and the hydrogen peroxide evolution of light activated, solvent exposed PS2 complexes, which have been immobilized on a functionalized gold electrode. The authors show that under limited electron mediation PS2 displays a lower photostability that correlates with an enhanced H2O2 generation as a side product of the light induced water oxidation.

Ca K-edge XAS as a probe of calcium centers in complex systems

Herein, Ca K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is developed as a means to characterize the local environment of calcium centers. The spectra for six, seven, and eight coordinate inorganic and molecular calcium complexes were analyzed and determined to be primarily influenced by the coordination environment and site symmetry at the calcium center. The experimental results are closely correlated to time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the XAS spectra. The applicability of this methodology to complex systems was investigated using structural mimics of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of PSII. It was found that Ca K-edge XAS is a sensitive probe for structural changes occurring in the cubane heterometallic cluster due to Mn oxidation. Future applications to the OEC are discussed.

Principles of Natural Photosynthesis

Nature relies on a unique and intricate biochemical setup to achieve sunlight-driven water splitting. Combined experimental and computational efforts have produced significant insights into the structural and functional principles governing the operation of the water-oxidizing enzyme Photosystem II in general, and of the oxygen-evolving manganese-calcium cluster at its active site in particular. Here we review the most important aspects of biological water oxidation, emphasizing current knowledge on the organization of the enzyme, the geometric and electronic structure of the catalyst, and the role of calcium and chloride cofactors. The combination of recent experimental work on the identification of possible substrate sites with computational modeling have considerably limited the possible mechanistic pathways for the critical O-O bond formation step. Taken together, the key features and principles of natural photosynthesis may serve as inspiration for the design, development, and implementation of artificial systems.

Localization of the CyanoP binding site on photosystem II by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy

Photosystem II (PSII), a large multi subunit membrane protein complex localized in the thylakoid membrane of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts, is the only known enzyme that catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water. In addition to the membrane intrinsic part of PSII, efficient oxygen evolution requires soluble protein subunits at its luminal interface. In contrast to the detailed crystal structure of the active cyanobacterial complex the characterization of intermediate PSII species related to its assembly and repair is hampered by their instability or low abundance. As most structural variations of the corresponding PSII species are based on a different set of protein factors bound to the luminal interface of the complex we developed a system for interaction analysis between PSII and its soluble interaction partners based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. The assay was validated by the correct localization of the extrinsic PSII proteins PsbO, PsbV, and PsbU on the luminal PSII surface and used to determine the unknown binding position of CyanoP, the cyanobacterial homolog of higher plant PsbP. The CyanoP binding site was clearly localized in the center of PSII at a position, which is occupied by the PsbO subunit in mature PSII complexes. Consistently, we demonstrate selective binding of CyanoP to an inactive PSII assembly intermediate that lacks the extrinsic subunits PsbO, PsbV, and PsbU. These findings suggest, that CyanoP functions in the dynamic lifecycle of PSII, possibly in the association of CP47 and CP43 or in photoactivation of the oxygen-evolving complex.

Photo-oxidation of tyrosine in a bio-engineered bacterioferritin 'reaction centre'-a protein model for artificial photosynthesis

The photosynthetic reaction centre (RC) is central to the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy and is a model for bio-mimetic engineering approaches to this end. We describe bio-engineering of a Photosystem II (PSII) RC inspired peptide model, building on our earlier studies. A non-photosynthetic haem containing bacterioferritin (BFR) from Escherichia coli that expresses as a homodimer was used as a protein scaffold, incorporating redox-active cofactors mimicking those of PSII. Desirable properties include: a di-nuclear metal binding site which provides ligands for bivalent metals, a hydrophobic pocket at the dimer interface which can bind a photosensitive porphyrin and presence of tyrosine residues proximal to the bound cofactors, which can be utilised as efficient electron-tunnelling intermediates. Light-induced electron transfer from proximal tyrosine residues to the photo-oxidised ZnCe6(•+), in the modified BFR reconstituted with both ZnCe6 and Mn(II), is presented. Three site-specific tyrosine variants (Y25F, Y58F and Y45F) were made to localise the redox-active tyrosine in the engineered system. The results indicate that: presence of bound Mn(II) is necessary to observe tyrosine oxidation in all BFR variants; Y45 the most important tyrosine as an immediate electron donor to the oxidised ZnCe6(•+) and that Y25 and Y58 are both redox-active in this system, but appear to function interchangebaly. High-resolution (2.1Å) crystal structures of the tyrosine variants show that there are no mutation-induced effects on the overall 3-D structure of the protein. Small effects are observed in the Y45F variant. Here, the BFR-RC represents a protein model for artificial photosynthesis.

Participation of glutamate-333 of the D1 polypeptide in the ligation of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster in photosystem II

In the 1.9 Å structural model of photosystem II (PDB: 3ARC), the amino acid residue Glu333 of the D1 polypeptide coordinates to the oxygen-evolving Mn₄CaO₅ cluster. This residue appears to be highly significant in that it bridges the two Mn ions (Mn(B3) and the "dangling" Mn(A4)) that are also bridged by the oxygen atom O5. This oxygen atom has been proposed to be derived from one of two substrate water molecules and to become incorporated into the product dioxygen molecule during the final step in the catalytic cycle. In addition, the backbone nitrogen of D1-Glu333 interacts directly with a nearby Cl⁻ atom. To further explore the influence of this structurally unique residue on the properties of the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster, the D1-E333Q mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was characterized with a variety of biophysical and spectroscopic methods, including polarography, EPR, X-ray absorption, and FTIR difference spectroscopy. The kinetics of oxygen release in the mutant were essentially unchanged from those in wild-type. In addition, the oxygen flash yields exhibited normal period-four oscillations having normal S state parameters, although the yields were lower, indicative of the mutant's lower steady-state dioxygen evolution rate of approximately 30% compared to that of the wild-type. The S₁ state Mn-XANES and Mn-EXAFS and S₂ state multiline EPR signals of purified D1-E333Q PSII core complexes closely resembled those of wild-type, aside from having lower amplitudes. The S(n+1)-minus-S(n) FTIR difference spectra showed only minor alterations to the carbonyl, amide, and carboxylate stretching regions. However, the mutation eliminated a negative peak at 3663 cm⁻¹ in the weakly H-bonding O-H stretching region of the S₂-minus-S₁ FTIR difference spectrum and caused an approximately 9 cm⁻¹ downshift of the negative feature in this region of the S₁-minus-S₀ FTIR difference spectrum. We conclude that fully functional Mn₄CaO₅ clusters assemble in the presence of the D1-E333Q mutation but that the mutation decreases the yield of assembled clusters and alters the H-bonding properties of one or more water molecules or hydroxide groups that are located on or near the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster and that either deprotonate or form stronger hydrogen bonds during the S₀ to S₁ and S₁ to S₂ transitions.

Thylakoid membrane maturation and PSII activation are linked in greening Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells

Thylakoid membranes are typical and essential features of both chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. While they are crucial for phototrophic growth of cyanobacterial cells, biogenesis of thylakoid membranes is not well understood yet. Dark-grown Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells contain only rudimentary thylakoid membranes but still a relatively high amount of phycobilisomes, inactive photosystem II and active photosystem I centers. After shifting dark-grown Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells into the light, "greening" of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells, i.e. thylakoid membrane formation and recovery of photosynthetic electron transport reactions, was monitored. Complete restoration of a typical thylakoid membrane system was observed within 24 hours after an initial lag phase of 6 to 8 hours. Furthermore, activation of photosystem II complexes and restoration of a functional photosynthetic electron transport chain appears to be linked to the biogenesis of organized thylakoid membrane pairs.

Photosystem II assembly: from cyanobacteria to plants

Photosystem II (PSII) is an integral-membrane, multisubunit complex that initiates electron flow in oxygenic photosynthesis. The biogenesis of this complex machine involves the concerted assembly of at least 20 different polypeptides as well as the incorporation of a variety of inorganic and organic cofactors. Many factors have recently been identified that constitute an integrative network mediating the stepwise assembly of PSII components. One recurring theme is the subcellular organization of the assembly process in specialized membranes that form distinct biogenesis centers. Here, we review our current knowledge of the molecular components and events involved in PSII assembly and their high degree of evolutionary conservation.

Biomineralization: a proposed evolutionary origin for inorganic cofactors of enzymes

In this paper, three different reactions of nanoparticles and proteins are explained. As a model system, the interactions of birnessite, which is a common manganese oxide in the environment, and bovine serum albumin, as a protein that has a strong affinity for a variety of inorganic molecules, are studied. The author proposes that the cofactor-formation in particular enzymes may be considered as a biomineralization in the presence of the protein. One of the numerous and very small nanoparticles produced in the presence of protein could be formed in an appropriate location in proteins and be used as a primitive inorganic core (cofactor) of enzyme.

Deletion of psbJ leads to accumulation of Psb27-Psb28 photosystem II complexes in Thermosynechococcus elongatus

The life cycle of Photosystem II (PSII) is embedded in a network of proteins that guides the complex through biogenesis, damage and repair. Some of these proteins, such as Psb27 and Psb28, are involved in cofactor assembly for which they are only transiently bound to the preassembled complex. In this work we isolated and analyzed PSII from a ΔpsbJ mutant of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus. From the four different PSII complexes that could be separated the most prominent one revealed a monomeric Psb27-Psb28 PSII complex with greatly diminished oxygen-evolving activity. The MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry analysis of intact low molecular weight subunits (<10kDa) depicted wild type PSII with the absence of PsbJ. Relative quantification of the PsbA1/PsbA3 ratio by LC-ESI mass spectrometry using (15)N labeled PsbA3-specific peptides indicated the complete replacement of PsbA1 by the stress copy PsbA3 in the mutant, even under standard growth conditions (50μmol photons m(-2) s(-1)). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: from Natural to Artificial.

A genetically tagged Psb27 protein allows purification of two consecutive photosystem II (PSII) assembly intermediates in Synechocystis 6803, a cyanobacterium

Photosystem II (PSII) is a large membrane bound molecular machine that catalyzes light-driven oxygen evolution from water. PSII constantly undergoes assembly and disassembly because of the unavoidable damage that results from its normal photochemistry. Thus, under physiological conditions, in addition to the active PSII complexes, there are always PSII subpopulations incompetent of oxygen evolution, but are in the process of undergoing elaborate biogenesis and repair. These transient complexes are difficult to characterize because of their low abundance, structural heterogeneity, and thermodynamic instability. In this study, we show that a genetically tagged Psb27 protein allows for the biochemical purification of two monomeric PSII assembly intermediates, one with an unprocessed form of D1 (His27ΔctpAPSII) and a second one with a mature form of D1 (His27PSII). Both forms were capable of light-induced charge separation, but unable to photooxidize water, largely because of the absence of a functional tetramanganese cluster. Unexpectedly, there was a significant amount of the extrinsic lumenal PsbO protein in the His27PSII, but not in the His27ΔctpAPSII complex. In contrast, two other lumenal proteins, PsbU and PsbV, were absent in both of these PSII intermediate complexes. Additionally, the only cytoplasmic extrinsic protein, Psb28 was detected in His27PSII complex. Based on these data, we have presented a refined model of PSII biogenesis, illustrating an important role of Psb27 as a gate-keeper during the complex assembly process of the oxygen-evolving centers in PSII.