Bidirectional Electron Transfer in the Reaction Centre of Photosystem I

• Published in: Journal of integrative plant biology Vol. 52; no. 8; pp. 735 - 749
• Main Authors: Santabarbara, Stefano, Galuppini, Luca, Casazza, Anna Paola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Melbourne, Australia : Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.08.2010; Blackwell Publishing Asia
• Subjects: absorption; electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy; electron transfer; Electron Transport; Electron Transport - physiology; metabolism; Models, Biological; molecular genetics; photosystem I; Photosystem I Protein Complex; Photosystem I Protein Complex - metabolism; physiology; 光系统; 分子遗传学; 反应中心; 氧化还原; 物理化学性质; 电子转移反应; 电子顺磁共振; 辅助因子
• ISSN: 1672-9072; 1744-7909; 1744-7909
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2010.00977.x

In the past decade light-induced electron transfer reactions in photosystem I have been the subject of intensive investigations that have led to the elucidation of some unique characteristics, the most striking of which is the existence of two parallel, functional, redox active cofactors chains. This process is generally referred to as bidirectional electron transfer. Here we present a review of the principal evidences that have led to the uncovering of bidirectionality in the reaction centre of photosystem I. A special focus is dedicated to the results obtained combining time-resolved spectroscopic techniques, either difference absorption or electron paramagnetic resonance, with molecular genetics, which allows, through modification of the binding of redox active cofactors with the reaction centre subunits, an effect on their physical-chemical properties.