Oligomerization state of photosynthetic core complexes is correlated with the dimerization affinity of a transmembrane helix.

ABSTRACT: In the Rhodobacter (Rba.) species of photosynthetic purple bacteria, a single transmembrane α-helix, PufX, is found within the core complex, an essential photosynthetic macromolecular assembly that performs the absorption and the initial processing of light energy. Despite its structural simplicity, many unresolved questions surround PufX, the most important of which is its location within the photosynthetic core complex. One proposed placement of PufX is at the center of a core complex dimer, where two PufX helices associate in the membrane and form a homodimer. Inability for PufX of certain Rba. species to form a homodimer is thought to lead to monomeric core complexes. In the present study, we employ a combination of computational and experimental techniques to test the hypothesized hom

SUBMITTER: Hsin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3168531 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature