The Unique Light-Harvesting System of the Algal Phycobilisome: Structure, Assembly Components, and Functions

The phycobilisome (PBS) is the major light-harvesting apparatus in cyanobacteria and red algae. It is a large multi-subunit protein complex of several megadaltons that is found on the stromal side of thylakoid membranes in orderly arrays. Chromophore lyases catalyse the thioether bond between apopro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 11; p. 9733
Main Authors Li, Xiang, Hou, Wenwen, Lei, Jiaxi, Chen, Hui, Wang, Qiang
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland MDPI AG 04.06.2023
MDPI
Subjects
Algae
Antioxidants
assembly
Biosynthesis
Cancer
Chlorophyll
Chromophores
Cosmetics
Cyanobacteria
Enzymes
Heat resistance
Photosynthesis
phycobilin
phycobiliprotein
Phycobiliproteins
phycobilisome
Physiological aspects
Proteins
Review
Solar energy
Thylakoid membranes
assembly
phycobilin
photosynthesis
phycobilisome
biosynthesis
phycobiliprotein
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The phycobilisome (PBS) is the major light-harvesting apparatus in cyanobacteria and red algae. It is a large multi-subunit protein complex of several megadaltons that is found on the stromal side of thylakoid membranes in orderly arrays. Chromophore lyases catalyse the thioether bond between apoproteins and phycobilins of PBSs. Depending on the species, composition, spatial assembly, and, especially, the functional tuning of different phycobiliproteins mediated by linker proteins, PBSs can absorb light between 450 and 650 nm, making them efficient and versatile light-harvesting systems. However, basic research and technological innovations are needed, not only to understand their role in photosynthesis but also to realise the potential applications of PBSs. Crucial components including phycobiliproteins, phycobilins, and lyases together make the PBS an efficient light-harvesting system, and these provide a scheme to explore the heterologous synthesis of PBS. Focusing on these topics, this review describes the essential components needed for PBS assembly, the functional basis of PBS photosynthesis, and the applications of phycobiliproteins. Moreover, key technical challenges for heterologous biosynthesis of phycobiliproteins in chassis cells are discussed.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
content type line 23
ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms24119733