S1-state Mn4Ca complex of Photosystem II exists in equilibrium between the two most-stable isomeric substates: XRD and EXAFS evidence

Independent Mutation of Two Bridging Carboxylate Ligands Stabilizes Alternate Conformers of the Photosynthetic O2-Evolving Mn4CaO5 Cluster in Photosystem II

The O2-evolving Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II is ligated by six carboxylate residues. One of these is D170 of the D1 subunit. This carboxylate bridges between one Mn ion (Mn4) and the Ca ion. A second carboxylate ligand is D342 of the D1 subunit. This carboxylate bridges between two Mn ions (Mn1 and Mn2). D170 and D342 are located on opposite sides of the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Recently, it was shown that the D170E mutation perturbs both the intricate networks of H-bonds that surround the Mn4CaO5 cluster and the equilibrium between different conformers of the cluster in two of its lower oxidation states, S1 and S2, while still supporting O2 evolution at approximately 50% the rate of the wild type. In this study, we show that the D342E mutation produces much the same alterations to the cluster's FTIR and EPR spectra as D170E, while still supporting O2 evolution at approximately 20% the rate of the wild type. Furthermore, the double mutation, D170E + D342E, behaves similarly to the two single mutations. We conclude that D342E alters the equilibrium between different conformers of the cluster in its S1 and S2 states in the same manner as D170E and perturbs the H-bond networks in a similar fashion. This is the second identification of a Mn4CaO5 metal ligand whose mutation influences the equilibrium between the different conformers of the S1 and S2 states without eliminating O2 evolution. This finding has implications for our understanding of the mechanism of O2 formation in terms of catalytically active/inactive conformations of the Mn4CaO5 cluster in its lower oxidation states.

Mutation of a metal ligand stabilizes the high-spin form of the S2 state in the O2-producing Mn4CaO5 cluster of photosystem II

The residue D1-D170 bridges Mn4 with the Ca ion in the O₂-evolving Mn₄CaO₅ cluster of Photosystem II. Recently, the D1-D170E mutation was shown to substantially alter the S_n+1-minus-S_n FTIR difference spectra [Debus RJ (2021) Biochemistry 60:3841-3855]. The mutation was proposed to alter the equilibrium between different Jahn-Teller conformers of the S₁ state such that (i) a different S₁ state conformer is stabilized in D1-D170E than in wild-type and (ii) the S₁ to S₂ transition in D1-D170E produces a high-spin form of the S₂ state rather than the low-spin form that is produced in wild-type. In this study, we employed EPR spectroscopy to test if a high-spin form of the S₂ state is formed preferentially in D1-D170E PSII. Our data show that illumination of dark-adapted D1-D170E PSII core complexes does indeed produce a high-spin form of the S₂ state rather than the low-spin multiline form that is produced in wild-type. This observation provides further experimental support for a change in the equilibrium between S state conformers in both the S₁ and S₂ states in a site-directed mutant that retains substantial O₂ evolving activity.

Alteration of the O2-Producing Mn4Ca Cluster in Photosystem II by the Mutation of a Metal Ligand

The O₂-evolving Mn₄Ca cluster in photosystem II (PSII) is arranged as a distorted Mn₃Ca cube that is linked to a fourth Mn ion (denoted as Mn4) by two oxo bridges. The Mn4 and Ca ions are bridged by residue D1-D170. This is also the only residue known to participate in the high-affinity Mn(II) site that participates in the light-driven assembly of the Mn₄Ca cluster. In this study, we use Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy to characterize the impact of the D1-D170E mutation. On the basis of analyses of carboxylate and carbonyl stretching modes and the O-H stretching modes of hydrogen-bonded water molecules, we show that this mutation alters the extensive network of hydrogen bonds that surrounds the Mn₄Ca cluster in the same manner as that of many other mutations. It also alters the equilibrium between conformers of the Mn₄Ca cluster in the dark-stable S₁ state so that a high-spin form of the S₂ state is produced during the S₁-to-S₂ transition instead of the low-spin form that gives rise to the S₂ state multiline electron paramagnetic resonance signal. The mutation may also change the coordination mode of the carboxylate group at position 170 to unidentate ligation of Mn4. This is the first mutation of a metal ligand in PSII that substantially impacts the spectroscopic signatures of the Mn₄Ca cluster without substantially eliminating O₂ evolution. The results have significant implications for our understanding of the roles of alternate active/inactive conformers of the Mn₄Ca cluster in the mechanism of O₂ formation.

Mechanism of Oxygen Evolution and Mn4CaO5 Cluster Restoration in the Natural Water-Oxidizing Catalyst

Water oxidation occurring in the first steps of natural oxygenic photosynthesis is catalyzed by the pigment/protein complex Photosystem II. This process takes place on the Mn₄Ca cluster located in the core of Photosystem II and proceeds along the five steps (S₀-S₄) of the so-called Kok-Joliot cycle until the release of molecular oxygen. The catalytic cycle can therefore be started afresh through insertion of a new water molecule. Here, combining quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations and minimum energy path calculations, we characterized on different spin surfaces the events occurring in the last sector of the catalytic cycle from structural, electronic, and thermodynamic points of view. We found that the process of oxygen evolution and water insertion can be described well by a two-step mechanism, with oxygen release being the rate-limiting step of the process. Moreover, our results allow us to identify the upcoming water molecule required to regenerate the initial structure of the Mn₄Ca cluster in the S₀ state. The insertion of the water molecule was found to be coupled with the transfer of a proton to a neighboring hydroxide ion, thus resulting in the reconstitution of the most widely accepted model of the S₀ state.

Orientational Jahn-Teller Isomerism in the Dark-Stable State of Nature's Water Oxidase

The tetramanganese–calcium cluster of the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II adopts electronically and magnetically distinct but interconvertible valence isomeric forms in its first light‐driven oxidized catalytic state, S₂. This bistability is implicated in gating the final catalytic states preceding O−O bond formation, but it is unknown how the biological system enables its emergence and controls its effect. Here we show that the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster in the resting (dark‐stable) S₁ state adopts orientational Jahn–Teller isomeric forms arising from a directional change in electronic configuration of the “dangler” Mn^III ion. The isomers are consistent with available structural data and explain previously unresolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic observations on the S₁ state. This unique isomerism in the resting state is shown to be the electronic origin of valence isomerism in the S₂ state, establishing a functional role of orientational Jahn–Teller isomerism unprecedented in biological or artificial catalysis.

The D1-V185N mutation alters substrate water exchange by stabilizing alternative structures of the Mn4Ca-cluster in photosystem II

In photosynthesis, the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of the pigment-protein complex photosystem II (PSII) orchestrates the oxidation of water. Introduction of the V185N mutation into the D1 protein was previously reported to drastically slow O₂-release and strongly perturb the water network surrounding the Mn₄Ca cluster. Employing time-resolved membrane inlet mass spectrometry, we measured here the H₂¹⁸O/H₂¹⁶O-exchange kinetics of the fast (W_f) and slow (W_s) exchanging substrate waters bound in the S₁, S₂ and S₃ states to the Mn₄Ca cluster of PSII core complexes isolated from wild type and D1-V185N strains of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. We found that the rate of exchange for W_s was increased in the S₁ and S₂ states, while both W_f and W_s exchange rates were decreased in the S₃ state. Additionally, we used EPR spectroscopy to characterize the Mn₄Ca cluster and its interaction with the redox active D1-Tyr161 (Y_Z). In the S₂ state, we observed a greatly diminished multiline signal in the V185N-PSII that could be recovered by addition of ammonia. The split signal in the S₁ state was not affected, while the split signal in the S₃ state was absent in the D1-V185N mutant. These findings are rationalized by the proposal that the N185 residue stabilizes the binding of an additional water-derived ligand at the Mn1 site of the Mn₄Ca cluster via hydrogen bonding. Implications for the sites of substrate water binding are discussed.

Rationalizing the Geometries of the Water Oxidising Complex in the Atomic Resolution, Nominal S3 State Crystal Structures of Photosystem II

Three atomic resolution crystal structures of Photosystem II, in the double flashed, nominal S₃ intermediate state of its Mn₄ Ca Water Oxidising Complex (WOC), have now been presented, at 2.25, 2.35 and 2.08 Å resolution. Although very similar overall, the S₃ structures differ within the WOC catalytic site. The 2.25 Å structure contains only one oxy species (O5) in the WOC cavity, weakly associated with Mn centres, similar to that in the earlier 1.95 Å S₁ structure. The 2.35 Å structure shows two such species (O5, O6), with the Mn centres and O5 positioned as in the 2.25 Å structure and O5-O6 separation of ∼1.5 Å. In the latest S₃ variant, two oxy species are also seen (O5, Ox), with the Ox group appearing only in S₃ , closely ligating one Mn, with O5-Ox separation <2.1 Å. The O5 and O6/Ox groups were proposed to be substrate water derived species. Recently, Petrie et al. (Chem. Phys. Chem., 2017) presented large scale Quantum Chemical modelling of the 2.25 Å structure, quantitatively explaining all significant features within the WOC region. This, as in our earlier studies, assumed a 'low' Mn oxidation paradigm (mean S₁ Mn oxidation level of +3.0, Petrie et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2015), rather than a 'high' oxidation model (mean S₁ oxidation level of +3.5). In 2018 we showed (Chem. Phys. Chem., 2018) this oxidation state assumption predicted two energetically close S₃ structural forms, one with the metal centres and O5 (as OH^- ) positioned as in the 2.25 Å structure, and the other with the metals similarly placed, but with O5 (as H₂ O) located in the O6 position of the 2.35 Å structure. The 2.35 Å two flashed structure was likely a crystal superposition of two such forms. Here we show, by similar computational analysis, that the latest 2.08 Å S₃ structure is also a likely superposition of forms, but with O5 (as OH^- ) occupying either the O5 or Ox positions in the WOC cavity. This highlights a remarkable structural 'lability' of the WOC centre in the S₃ state, which is likely catalytically relevant to its water splitting function.

Substrate water exchange in the S2 state of photosystem II is dependent on the conformation of the Mn4Ca cluster

The structural flexibility of the Mn₄Ca cluster in photosystem II supports the exchange of the central O5 bridge.

Calcium Valence-to-Core X-ray Emission Spectroscopy: A Sensitive Probe of Oxo Protonation in Structural Models of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex

Calcium is an abundant, nontoxic metal that finds many roles in synthetic and biological systems including the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II. Characterization methods for calcium centers, however, are underdeveloped compared to those available for transition metals. Valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC XES) selectively probes the electronic structure of an element's chemical environment, providing insight that complements the geometric information available from other techniques. Here, the utility of calcium VtC XES is established using an in-house dispersive spectrometer in combination with density functional theory. Spectral trends are rationalized within a molecular orbital framework, and Kβ2,5 transitions, derived from molecular orbitals with primarily ligand p character, are found to be a promising probe of the calcium coordination environment. In particular, it is shown that calcium VtC XES is sensitive to the electronic structure changes that accompany oxo protonation in Mn3CaO4-based molecular mimics of the OEC. Through correlation to calculations, the potential of calcium VtC XES to address unresolved questions regarding the mechanism of biological water oxidation is highlighted.

On the comparison between differential vibrational spectroscopy spectra and theoretical data in the carboxyl region of photosystem II

Understanding the structural modification experienced by the Mn₄ CaO₅ oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II along the Kok-Joliot's cycle has been a challenge for both theory and experiments since many decades. In particular, differential infrared spectroscopy was extensively used to probe the surroundings of the reaction center, to catch spectral changes between different S-states along the catalytic cycle. Because of the complexity of the signals, only a limited quantity of identified peaks have been assigned so far, also because of the difficulty of a direct comparison with theoretical calculations. In the present work, we critically reconsider the comparison between differential vibrational spectroscopy and theoretical calculations performed on the structural models of the photosystem II active site and an inorganic structural mimic. Several factors are currently limiting the reliability of a quantitative comparison, such as intrinsic errors associated to theoretical methods, and most of all, the uncertainty attributed to the lack of knowledge about the localization of the underlying structural changes. Critical points in this comparison are extensively discussed. Comparing several computational data of differential S₂ /S₁ infrared spectroscopy, we have identified weak and strong points in their interpretation when compared with experimental spectra.

Oxygenic photosynthesis: history, status and perspective

Cyanobacteria and plants carry out oxygenic photosynthesis. They use water to generate the atmospheric oxygen we breathe and carbon dioxide to produce the biomass serving as food, feed, fibre and fuel. This paper scans the emergence of structural and mechanistic understanding of oxygen evolution over the past 50 years. It reviews speculative concepts and the stepped insight provided by novel experimental and theoretical techniques. Driven by sunlight photosystem II oxidizes the catalyst of water oxidation, a hetero-metallic Mn4CaO5(H2O)4 cluster. Mn3Ca are arranged in cubanoid and one Mn dangles out. By accumulation of four oxidizing equivalents before initiating dioxygen formation it matches the four-electron chemistry from water to dioxygen to the one-electron chemistry of the photo-sensitizer. Potentially harmful intermediates are thereby occluded in space and time. Kinetic signatures of the catalytic cluster and its partners in the photo-reaction centre have been resolved, in the frequency domain ranging from acoustic waves via infra-red to X-ray radiation, and in the time domain from nano- to milli-seconds. X-ray structures to a resolution of 1.9 Å are available. Even time resolved X-ray structures have been obtained by clocking the reaction cycle by flashes of light and diffraction with femtosecond X-ray pulses. The terminal reaction cascade from two molecules of water to dioxygen involves the transfer of four electrons, two protons, one dioxygen and one water. A rigorous mechanistic analysis is challenging because of the kinetic enslaving at millisecond duration of six partial reactions (4e−, 1H+, 1O2). For the time being a peroxide-intermediate in the reaction cascade to dioxygen has been in focus, both experimentally and by quantum chemistry. Homo sapiens has relied on burning the products of oxygenic photosynthesis, recent and fossil. Mankind's total energy consumption amounts to almost one-fourth of the global photosynthetic productivity. If the average power consumption equalled one of those nations with the highest consumption per capita it was four times greater and matched the total productivity. It is obvious that biomass should be harvested for food, feed, fibre and platform chemicals rather than for fuel.

Explaining the Different Geometries of the Water Oxidising Complex in the Nominal S3 State Crystal Structures of Photosystem II at 2.25 Å and 2.35 Å

Recently two atomic resolution crystal structures of Photosystem II, in the double flashed, nominal S3 intermediate state of its Mn4 Ca water oxidising complex (WOC), have been presented (Young et al., Nature 2016, 540, 453; Suga et al., Nature 2017, 543, 131). These structures are at 2.25 Å and 2.35 Å resolution, respectively. Although highly similar in most respects, the structures differ in a key region within the WOC catalytic site. In the 2.25 Å structure, one oxy species (O5) is observed within the WOC cavity, weakly associated with the Mn centres, similar to that seen earlier in the 1.95 Å XRD structure of the S1 intermediate (Suga et al., Nature, 2015, 517, 99). In the 2.35 Å structure, two such species are seen (O5, O6), with the Mn centres and O5 positioned as in the 2.25 Å structure and an O5-O6 separation of ∼1.5 Å, consistent with peroxo formation. This suggests O5 and O6 are substrate water derived species in this double flashed form. Recently we have presented (Petrie, et al., Chem. Phys. Chem., 2017) a large scale (220 atom) quantum chemical model of the Young et al. 2.25 Å structure, which quantitatively explains all significant features within the WOC region of that structure, particularly the positions of the metal centres and O5 group. Critical to this was our assumption of a 'low' Mn oxidation paradigm (mean S1 Mn oxidation level of +3.0, Petrie et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2015), rather than a 'high' oxidation model (mean S1 oxidation level of +3.5), widely assumed in the literature. Here we show that our same oxidation state model predicts two classes of energetically close S3 structural forms, analogous to the S1 state, one with the metal centres and O5 positioned as in the 2.25 Å structure, and the other with the metals similarly placed, but with O5 located in the O6 position of the 2.35 Å structure. We show that the Suga et al. 2.35 Å structure is likely a superposition of two such forms, one from each class, which is consistent with reported atomic occupancies for that structure and the relative total energies we calculate for the two structural forms.

Resolving Ambiguous Protonation and Oxidation States in the Oxygen Evolving Complex of Photosystem II

Photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthetic organisms converts light energy into chemical energy by oxidizing water to dioxygen at the Mn₄CaO₅ oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). Extensive structural data have been collected on the resting dark state (nominally S₁ in the standard Kok nomenclature) from crystal diffraction and EXAFS studies but the protonation and Mn oxidation states are still uncertain. A "high-oxidation" model assigns the S₁ state to have the formal Mn oxidation level of (III, IV, IV, III), whereas the "low-oxidation" model posits two additional electrons. Generally, additional protons are expected to be associated with the low-oxidation model and were not fully investigated until now. Here we consider structural features of the S₀ and S₁ states using a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method. We systematically alter the hydrogen-bonding network and the protonation states of bridging and terminal oxygens and His337 to investigate how they influence Mn-Mn and Mn-O distances, relative energetics, and the internal distribution of Mn oxidation states, in both high and low-oxidation state paradigms. The bridging oxygens (O1, O2, O3, O4) all need to be deprotonated (O^2-) to be compatible with available structural data, whereas the position of O5 (bridging Mn3, Mn4, and Ca) in the XFEL structure is more consistent with an OH^- under the low paradigm. We show that structures with two short Mn-Mn distances, which are sometimes argued to be diagnostic of a high oxidation state paradigm, can also arise in low oxidation-state models. We conclude that the low Mn oxidation state proposal for the OEC can closely fit all of the available structural data at accessible energies in a straightforward manner. Modeling at the 4 H⁺ protonation level of S₁ under the high paradigm predicts rearrangement of bidentate D1-Asp170 to H-bond to O5 (OH^-), a geometry found in artificial OEC catalysts.

Computational studies of the Mn4/Ca cluster in photosystem II

Computational chemistry with the data from more detailed X-ray diffraction (XRD) oxygen evolving complex (OEC) structure has been used extensively of late in exploring the mechanisms of water oxidation in the OEC. The study reported in this paper involves density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate whether the data are in agreement with the four manganese ions in the OEC, being organized as a ‘3[Formula: see text]1’ (trimer plus one) model [Gatt et al. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51, 12025–12028, 2012; Petrie et al. Chemistry - A European Journal, 21, 6780–6792, 2015; Terrett et al. Chemical Communications, 50, 3187–3190, 2014] or ‘dimer of dimers’ model. [Terrett et al. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 162, 178–189, 2016]. The data analysis method used involves quantum chemical DFT calculations on relevant models of the OEC cluster. DFT calculations were performed using both the so-called ‘open’ and ‘closed’ forms [Terrett et al. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 162, 178–189, 2016] of the S2 OEC structure models with total spin ([Formula: see text]) 1/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 15/2 within the MnIII MnIV MnIII MnIII ‘low’ oxidation paradigm to examine exchange coupling within the OEC cluster. The results show that the [Formula: see text]-coupling in the ‘closed’ form: [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. In the ‘closed’ form, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] represent the two largest exchange interactions within the manganese cluster, whereas [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are small and almost net cancel. The magnetic coupling between the four Mn ions is close to ‘dimer of dimers’, with both dimers anti-ferromagnetically coupled internally and with weak inter-dimer net coupling.

The open-cubane oxo–oxyl coupling mechanism dominates photosynthetic oxygen evolution: a comprehensive DFT investigation on O–O bond formation in the S4state

How is O₂created in nature? Comprehensive DFT investigations determine the dominance of the open-cubane oxo–oxyl coupling mechanism over alternative possibilities.

Frontiers of water oxidation: the quest for true catalysts

Development of advanced analytical techniques is essential for the identification of water oxidation catalysts together with mechanistic studies.

Manganese Compounds as Water-Oxidizing Catalysts: From the Natural Water-Oxidizing Complex to Nanosized Manganese Oxide Structures

All cyanobacteria, algae, and plants use a similar water-oxidizing catalyst for water oxidation. This catalyst is housed in Photosystem II, a membrane-protein complex that functions as a light-driven water oxidase in oxygenic photosynthesis. Water oxidation is also an important reaction in artificial photosynthesis because it has the potential to provide cheap electrons from water for hydrogen production or for the reduction of carbon dioxide on an industrial scale. The water-oxidizing complex of Photosystem II is a Mn-Ca cluster that oxidizes water with a low overpotential and high turnover frequency number of up to 25-90 molecules of O2 released per second. In this Review, we discuss the atomic structure of the Mn-Ca cluster of the Photosystem II water-oxidizing complex from the viewpoint that the underlying mechanism can be informative when designing artificial water-oxidizing catalysts. This is followed by consideration of functional Mn-based model complexes for water oxidation and the issue of Mn complexes decomposing to Mn oxide. We then provide a detailed assessment of the chemistry of Mn oxides by considering how their bulk and nanoscale properties contribute to their effectiveness as water-oxidizing catalysts.

Effect of concomitant oxidation and deprotonation of hydrated Mn centres in rationalising the FTIR difference silence of D1-Asp170 in Photosystem II

The observation of negligible FTIR differences in carboxylate vibrational modes for the D1-Asp170 residue of Photosystem II (PSII) on successive one-electron oxidations of the Mn4CaO5 oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) is counterintuitive in light of the apparent ligation of D1-Asp170 to an oxidisable Mn ion in the X-ray crystallographic structures of PSII. Here, we show computational support for the hypothesis that suppression of the FTIR difference spectrum in the 1100cm(-1) to 1700cm(-1) region of D1-Asp170 occurs by concomitant Mn oxidation and deprotonation of water ligands bound to the ligated metal centre. Density functional theory calculations on the model species [Mn(II)Ca(COOH)(OH)2(H2O)2](+) over two successive oxidations of the Mn ion are performed, where those oxidations are accompanied by deprotonation of water and μ-hydroxo ligands coordinated to the Mn ion. In contrast, dramatically increased FTIR difference activity is observed where these oxidations are unaccompanied by proton loss.

Artificial synthetic Mn(IV)Ca-oxido complexes mimic the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II

A novel family of heteronuclear Mn(IV)Ca-oxido complexes containing Mn(IV)Ca-oxido cuboidal moieties and reactive water molecules on Ca(2+) have been synthesized and characterized to mimic the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) in nature.

Energetics of proton release on the first oxidation step in the water-oxidizing enzyme

In photosystem II (PSII), the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster catalyses the water splitting reaction. The crystal structure of PSII shows the presence of a hydrogen-bonded water molecule directly linked to O4. Here we show the detailed properties of the H-bonds associated with the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach. When O4 is taken as a μ-hydroxo bridge acting as a hydrogen-bond donor to water539 (W539), the S₀ redox state best describes the unusually short O4–O_W539 distance (2.5 Å) seen in the crystal structure. We find that in S₁, O4 easily releases the proton into a chain of eight strongly hydrogen-bonded water molecules. The corresponding hydrogen-bond network is absent for O5 in S₁. The present study suggests that the O4-water chain could facilitate the initial deprotonation event in PSII. This unexpected insight is likely to be of real relevance to mechanistic models for water oxidation.

The availability of crystal structures of photosystem II opens up the possibility of gaining insights into its mechanism. Here, the authors use a computational approach and propose a deprotonation event at O4 followed by long-range proton-transfer along a chain of strongly bonded water molecules.

Resolving the Differences Between the 1.9 Å and 1.95 Å Crystal Structures of Photosystem II: A Single Proton Relocation Defines Two Tautomeric Forms of the Water-Oxidizing Complex

Great progress has been made in characterizing the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) in photosystem II (PSII) with the publication of a 1.9 Å resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) and recently a 1.95 Å X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) structure. However, these achievements are under threat because of perceived conflicts with other experimental data. For the earlier 1.9 Å structure, lack of agreement with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data led to the notion that the WOC suffered from X-ray photoreduction. In the recent 1.95 Å structure, Mn photoreduction is not an issue, but poor agreement with computational models which adopt the 'high' oxidation state paradigm, has again resulted in criticism of the structure on the basis of contamination with lower S states of the WOC. Here we use DFT modeling to show that the distinct WOC geometries in the 1.9 and 1.95 Å structures can be straightforwardly accounted for when the Mn oxidation states are consistent with the 'low' oxidation state paradigm. Remarkably, our calculations show that the two structures are tautomers, related by a single proton relocation.

Metal oxidation states in biological water splitting

A central question in biological water splitting concerns the oxidation states of the manganese ions that comprise the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II.

A central question in biological water splitting concerns the oxidation states of the manganese ions that comprise the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. Understanding the nature and order of oxidation events that occur during the catalytic cycle of five S_i states (i = 0–4) is of fundamental importance both for the natural system and for artificial water oxidation catalysts. Despite the widespread adoption of the so-called “high-valent scheme”—where, for example, the Mn oxidation states in the S₂ state are assigned as III, IV, IV, IV—the competing “low-valent scheme” that differs by a total of two metal unpaired electrons (i.e. III, III, III, IV in the S₂ state) is favored by several recent studies for the biological catalyst. The question of the correct oxidation state assignment is addressed here by a detailed computational comparison of the two schemes using a common structural platform and theoretical approach. Models based on crystallographic constraints were constructed for all conceivable oxidation state assignments in the four (semi)stable S states of the oxygen evolving complex, sampling various protonation levels and patterns to ensure comprehensive coverage. The models are evaluated with respect to their geometric, energetic, electronic, and spectroscopic properties against available experimental EXAFS, XFEL-XRD, EPR, ENDOR and Mn K pre-edge XANES data. New 2.5 K ⁵⁵Mn ENDOR data of the S₂ state are also reported. Our results conclusively show that the entire S state phenomenology can only be accommodated within the high-valent scheme by adopting a single motif and protonation pattern that progresses smoothly from S₀ (III, III, III, IV) to S₃ (IV, IV, IV, IV), satisfying all experimental constraints and reproducing all observables. By contrast, it was impossible to construct a consistent cycle based on the low-valent scheme for all S states. Instead, the low-valent models developed here may provide new insight into the over-reduced S states and the states involved in the assembly of the catalytically active water oxidizing cluster.

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.

The Structure of Photosystem II and the Mechanism of Water Oxidation in Photosynthesis

Oxygenic photosynthesis forms the basis of aerobic life on earth by converting light energy into biologically useful chemical energy and by splitting water to generate molecular oxygen. The water-splitting and oxygen-evolving reaction is catalyzed by photosystem II (PSII), a huge, multisubunit membrane-protein complex located in the thylakoid membranes of organisms ranging from cyanobacteria to higher plants. The structure of PSII has been analyzed at 1.9-Å resolution by X-ray crystallography, revealing a clear picture of the Mn4CaO5 cluster, the catalytic center for water oxidation. This article provides an overview of the overall structure of PSII followed by detailed descriptions of the specific structure of the Mn4CaO5 cluster and its surrounding protein environment. Based on the geometric organization of the Mn4CaO5 cluster revealed by the crystallographic analysis, in combination with the results of a vast number of experimental studies involving spectroscopic and other techniques as well as various theoretical studies, the article also discusses possible mechanisms for water splitting that are currently under consideration.

Reprint of PSII manganese cluster: protonation of W2, O5, O4 and His337 in the S1 state explored by combined quantum chemical and electrostatic energy computations

Photosystem II (PSII) is a membrane-bound protein complex that oxidizes water to produce energized protons, which are used to built up a proton gradient across the thylakoidal membrane in the leafs of plants. This light-driven reaction is catalyzed by withdrawing electrons from the Mn₄CaO₅-cluster (Mn-cluster) in four discrete oxidation steps [S₁-(S₄/S₀)] characterized in the Kok-cycle. In order to understand in detail the proton release events and the subsequent translocation of such energized protons, the protonation pattern of the Mn-cluster need to be elucidated. The new high-resolution PSII crystal structure from Umena, Kawakami, Shen, and Kamiya is an excellent basis to make progress in solving this problem. Following our previous work on oxidation and protonation states of the Mn-cluster, in this work, quantum chemical/electrostatic calculations were performed in order to estimate the pKa of different protons of relevant groups and atoms of the Mn-cluster such as W2, O4, O5 and His337. In broad agreement with previous experimental and theoretical work, our data suggest that W2 and His337 are likely to be in hydroxyl and neutral form, respectively, O5 and O4 to be unprotonated. This article is part of a special issue entitled: photosynthesis research for sustainability: keys to produce clean energy.

Synthetic cluster models of biological and heterogeneous manganese catalysts for O2 evolution

Artificial photosynthesis has emerged as an important strategy toward clean and renewable fuels. Catalytic oxidation of water to O2 remains a significant challenge in this context. A mechanistic understanding of currently known heterogeneous and biological catalysts at a molecular level is highly desirable for fundamental reasons as well as for the rational design of practical catalysts. This Award Article discusses recent efforts in synthesizing structural models of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. These structural motifs are also related to heterogeneous mixed-metal oxide catalysts. A stepwise synthetic methodology was developed toward achieving the structural complexity of the targeted active sites. A geometrically restricted multinucleating ligand, but with labile coordination modes, was employed for the synthesis of low-oxidation-state trimetallic species. These precursors were elaborated to site-differentiated tetrametallic complexes in high oxidation states. This methodology has allowed for structure-reactivity studies that have offered insight into the effects of different components of the clusters. Mechanistic aspects of oxygen-atom transfer and incorporation from water have been interrogated. Significantly, a large and systematic effect of redox-inactive metals on the redox properties of these clusters was discovered. With the pKa value of the redox-inactive metal-aqua complex as a measure of the Lewis acidity, structurally analogous clusters display a linear dependence between the reduction potential and acidity; each pKa unit shifts the potential by ca. 90 mV. Implications for the function of the biological and heterogeneous catalysts are discussed.

FTIR studies of metal ligands, networks of hydrogen bonds, and water molecules near the active site Mn₄CaO₅ cluster in Photosystem II

The photosynthetic conversion of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster in Photosystem II and provides nearly our entire supply of atmospheric oxygen. The Mn₄CaO₅ cluster accumulates oxidizing equivalents in response to light-driven photochemical events within Photosystem II and then oxidizes two molecules of water to oxygen. The Mn₄CaO₅ cluster converts water to oxygen much more efficiently than any synthetic catalyst because its protein environment carefully controls the cluster's reactivity at each step in its catalytic cycle. This control is achieved by precise choreography of the proton and electron transfer reactions associated with water oxidation and by careful management of substrate (water) access and proton egress. This review describes the FTIR studies undertaken over the past two decades to identify the amino acid residues that are responsible for this control and to determine the role of each. In particular, this review describes the FTIR studies undertaken to characterize the influence of the cluster's metal ligands on its activity, to delineate the proton egress pathways that link the Mn₄CaO₅ cluster with the thylakoid lumen, and to characterize the influence of specific residues on the water molecules that serve as substrate or as participants in the networks of hydrogen bonds that make up the water access and proton egress pathways. This information will improve our understanding of water oxidation by the Mn₄CaO₅ catalyst in Photosystem II and will provide insight into the design of new generations of synthetic catalysts that convert sunlight into useful forms of storable energy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Vibrational spectroscopies and bioenergetic systems.

PSII manganese cluster: protonation of W2, O5, O4 and His337 in the S1 state explored by combined quantum chemical and electrostatic energy computations

Photosystem II (PSII) is a membrane-bound protein complex that oxidizes water to produce energized protons, which are used to built up a proton gradient across the thylakoidal membrane in the leafs of plants. This light-driven reaction is catalyzed by withdrawing electrons from the Mn₄CaO₅-cluster (Mn-cluster) in four discrete oxidation steps [S₁-(S₄/S₀)] characterized in the Kok-cycle. In order to understand in detail the proton release events and the subsequent translocation of such energized protons, the protonation pattern of the Mn-cluster need to be elucidated. The new high-resolution PSII crystal structure from Umena, Kawakami, Shen, and Kamiya is an excellent basis to make progress in solving this problem. Following our previous work on oxidation and protonation states of the Mn-cluster, in this work, quantum chemical/electrostatic calculations were performed in order to estimate the pKa of different protons of relevant groups and atoms of the Mn-cluster such as W2, O4, O5 and His337. In broad agreement with previous experimental and theoretical work, our data suggest that W2 and His337 are likely to be in hydroxyl and neutral form, respectively, O5 and O4 to be unprotonated. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: Keys to Produce Clean Energy.

A synthetic model for the oxygen-evolving complex in Sr2+-containing photosystem II

An artificial complex containing Mn₃SrO₄ and three types of μ-O²⁻ moieties has been synthesized to mimic the OEC in PSII.

What does the Sr-substituted 2.1 Å resolution crystal structure of photosystem II reveal about the water oxidation mechanism?

The structure of the water oxidising complex in the Sr-substituted X-ray crystal structure of photosystem II and its differences relative to the Ca-containing system, have been rationalized by a density functional study.

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.

Proton transport facilitating water-oxidation: the role of second sphere ligands surrounding the catalytic metal cluster

The ability of PSII to extract electrons from water, with molecular oxygen as a by-product, is a remarkable biochemical and evolutionary innovation. From an evolutionary perspective, the invention of PSII approximately 2.7 Ga led to the accelerated accumulation of biomass in the biosphere and the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, a combination that allowed for the evolution of a much more complex and extensive biosphere than would otherwise have been possible. From the biochemical and enzymatic perspective, PSII is remarkable because of the thermodynamic and kinetic obstacles that needed to have been overcome to oxidize water as the ultimate photosynthetic electron donor. This article focuses on how proton release is an integral part of how these kinetic and thermodynamic obstacles have been overcome: the sequential removal of protons from the active site of H2O-oxidation facilitates the multistep oxidation of the substrate water at the Mn4CaOx, the catalytic heart of the H2O-oxidation reaction. As noted previously, the facilitated deprotonation of the Mn4CaOx cluster exerts a redox-leveling function preventing the accumulation of excess positive charge on the cluster, which might otherwise hinder the already energetically difficult oxidation of water. Using recent results, including the characteristics of site-directed mutants, the role of the second sphere of amino acid ligands and the associated network of water molecules surrounding the Mn4CaOx is discussed in relation to proton transport in other systems. In addition to the redox-leveling function, a trapping function is assigned to the proton release step occurring immediately prior to the dioxygen chemistry. This trapping appears to involve a yet-to-be clarified gating mechanism that facilitates to coordinated release of a proton from the neighborhood of the active site thereby insuring that the backward charge-recombination reaction does not out-compete the forward reaction of dioxygen chemistry during this final step of H2O-oxidation.