State transitions reveal the dynamics and flexibility of the photosynthetic apparatus.

摘要: The chloroplast-based photosynthetic apparatus of plants and algae associates various redox cofactors pigments with ∼70 polypeptides to form five major transmembrane protein complexes. Among these are two photosystems that have distinct light absorption properties but work in series produce reducing equivalents aimed at the fixation atmospheric carbon. A short term chromatic adaptation known as ‘State transitions’ was discovered thirty years ago allows organisms adapt changes quality intensity which would otherwise compromise efficiency energy conversion. two-decade research effort has finally unraveled aspects molecular mechanism responsible for State transitions, their physiological significance been revisited. This review describes how a—still elusive—regulatory kinase senses state cell triggers an extensive supramolecular reorganization membranes. resulting picture is a highly flexible convertor adapts ever-changing intracellular demand ATP and/or power.