A structure of the relict phycobilisome from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium

Han-Wei Jiang, Hsiang-Yi Wu, Chun-Hsiung Wang, Cheng-Han Yang, Jui-Tse Ko, Han-Chen Ho, Ming-Daw Tsai, Donald A. Bryant, Fay-Wei Li, Meng-Chiao Ho () and Ming-Yang Ho ()
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Han-Wei Jiang: National Taiwan University
Hsiang-Yi Wu: Academia Sinica
Chun-Hsiung Wang: Academia Sinica
Cheng-Han Yang: Academia Sinica
Jui-Tse Ko: National Taiwan University
Han-Chen Ho: Tzu Chi University
Ming-Daw Tsai: Academia Sinica
Donald A. Bryant: The Pennsylvania State University
Fay-Wei Li: Boyce Thompson Institute
Meng-Chiao Ho: Academia Sinica
Ming-Yang Ho: National Taiwan University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna megacomplexes that transfer energy to photosystems II and I in thylakoids. PBS likely evolved from a basic, inefficient form into the predominant hemidiscoidal shape with radiating peripheral rods. However, it has been challenging to test this hypothesis because ancestral species are generally inaccessible. Here we use spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy to reveal a structure of a “paddle-shaped” PBS from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium that likely retains ancestral traits. This PBS lacks rods and specialized ApcD and ApcF subunits, indicating relict characteristics. Other features include linkers connecting two chains of five phycocyanin hexamers (CpcN) and two core subdomains (ApcH), resulting in a paddle-shaped configuration. Energy transfer calculations demonstrate that chains are less efficient than rods. These features may nevertheless have increased light absorption by elongating PBS before multilayered thylakoids with hemidiscoidal PBS evolved. Our results provide insights into the evolution and diversification of light-harvesting strategies before the origin of thylakoids.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43646-9

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