Cytochrome b 6 f complex: Dynamic molecular organization, function and acclimation

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The cytochrome b 6 f complex occupies a central position in photosynthetic electron transport and proton translocation by linking PS II to PS I in linear electron flow from water to NADP(+), and around PS I for cyclic electron flow. Cytochrome b 6 f complexes are uniquely located in three membrane domains: the appressed granal membranes, the non-appressed stroma thylakoids and end grana membranes, and also the non-appressed grana margins, in contrast to the marked lateral heterogeneity of the localization of all other thylakoid multiprotein complexes. In addition to its vital role in vectorial electron transfer and proton translocation across the membrane, cytochrome b 6 f complex is also involved in the regulation of balanced light excitation energy distribution between the photosystems, since its redox state governs the activation of LHC II kinase (the kinase that phosphorylates the mobile peripheral fraction of the chlorophyll a/b-proteins of LHC II of PS II). Hence, cytochrome b 6 f complex is the molecular link in the interactive co-regulation of light-harvesting and electron transfer.The importance of a highly dynamic, yet flexible organization of the thylakoid membranes of plants and green algae has been highlighted by the exciting discovery that a lateral reorganization of some cytochrome b 6 f complexes occurs in the state transition mechanism both in vivo and in vitro (Vallon et al. 1991). The lateral redistribution of phosphorylated LHC II from stacked granal membrane regions is accompanied by a concomitant movement of some cytochrome b 6 f complexes from the granal membranes out to the PS I-containing stroma thylakoids. Thus, the dynamic movement of cytochrome b 6 f complex as a multiprotein complex is a molecular mechanism for short-term adaptation to changing light conditions. With the concept of different membrane domains for linear and cyclic electron flow gaining credence, it is thought that linear electron flow occurs in the granal compartments and cyclic electron flow is localised in the stroma thylakoids at non-limiting irradiances. It is postulated that dynamic lateral reversible redistribution of some cytochrome b 6 f complexes are part of the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of linear electron transfer (ATP and NADPH) and cyclic electron flow (ATP only). Finally, the molecular significance of the marked regulation of cytochrome b 6 f complexes for long-term regulation and optimization of photosynthetic function under varying environmental conditions, particularly light acclimation, is discussed.