A dimeric chlorophyll electron acceptor differentiates type I from type II photosynthetic reaction centers.

ABSTRACT: This research addresses one of the most compelling issues in the field of photosynthesis, namely, the role of the accessory chlorophyll molecules in primary charge separation. Using a combination of empirical and computational methods, we demonstrate that the primary acceptor of photosystem (PS) I is a dimer of accessory and secondary chlorophyll molecules, Chl_2A and Chl_3A, with an asymmetric electron charge density distribution. The incorporation of highly coupled donors and acceptors in PS I allows for extensive delocalization that prolongs the lifetime of the charge-separated state, providing for high quantum efficiency. The discovery of this motif has widespread implications ranging from the evolution of naturally occurring reaction centers to the development of a

SUBMITTER: Gorka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8267441 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature