Coherence in carotenoid-to-chlorophyll energy transfer

Elena Meneghin, Andrea Volpato, Lorenzo Cupellini, Luca Bolzonello, Sandro Jurinovich, Vincenzo Mascoli, Donatella Carbonera, Benedetta Mennucci and Elisabetta Collini ()
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Elena Meneghin: University of Padova
Andrea Volpato: University of Padova
Lorenzo Cupellini: University of Pisa
Luca Bolzonello: University of Padova
Sandro Jurinovich: University of Pisa
Vincenzo Mascoli: University of Pisa
Donatella Carbonera: University of Padova
Benedetta Mennucci: University of Pisa
Elisabetta Collini: University of Padova

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The subtle details of the mechanism of energy flow from carotenoids to chlorophylls in biological light-harvesting complexes are still not fully understood, especially in the ultrafast regime. Here we focus on the antenna complex peridinin–chlorophyll a–protein (PCP), known for its remarkable efficiency of excitation energy transfer from carotenoids—peridinins—to chlorophylls. PCP solutions are studied by means of 2D electronic spectroscopy in different experimental conditions. Together with a global kinetic analysis and multiscale quantum chemical calculations, these data allow us to comprehensively address the contribution of the potential pathways of energy flow in PCP. These data support dominant energy transfer from peridinin S2 to chlorophyll Qy state via an ultrafast coherent mechanism. The coherent superposition of the two states is functional to drive population to the final acceptor state, adding an important piece of information in the quest for connections between coherent phenomena and biological functions.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05596-5

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