Chinese researchers analyzed the spatial structure of barley chloroplast PSI-NDH for the first time
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 9th (Reporter Quan Zhang) Chinese researchers used cryo-electron microscopy technology to analyze the high-resolution spatial structure of barley chloroplast PSI-NDH membrane protein super-large molecular complex for the first time. This result is useful for understanding the evolutionary process of angiosperms. It is of great significance to adapt to the terrestrial light environment and has broad application prospects.
The research was carried out by the photosynthetic membrane protein structural biology research group of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Zhang Xing research group of Zhejiang University. The relevant results were published online in the international academic journal Nature on December 9.
According to Han Guangye, a researcher at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, photosynthesis is a process by which plants use solar energy to synthesize carbon dioxide and water into organic matter and release oxygen. It is the basis for the survival and development of almost all life. Chloroplasts are an important place for converting light energy into chemical energy. Analysis of PSI -The spatial structure of NDH membrane protein super-large molecular complexes is of great significance for understanding the mechanism of photosynthetic ring electron transport during the photoreaction process.
The analysis results show that the complex contains 55 protein subunits, 298 chlorophyll molecules, 67 carotenoid molecules and 25 lipid molecules, with a total molecular weight of about 1.6 megadaltons, which is the largest among higher plant chloroplasts analyzed so far. The structure of the photosynthetic membrane protein complex.
The study revealed the precise location and structural characteristics of the special antenna subunits in PSI and the 10 unique NDH subunits in the chloroplasts of higher plants. It also revealed the interaction between the subunits and the principle of complex assembly.
Kuang Tingyun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher of the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduced that the research results provide a new technical route for designing high-yield and high-quality forage grass and crops with high stress resistance.
At the same time, it provides new ideas for using synthetic biology technology to construct a new type of high-efficiency photosynthetic film electron transfer circuit, optimize the energy transfer path of the photosynthetic film, and create high-efficiency, high-carbon photosynthetic components and modules.