Abstract
Ultrastructural membrane arrangements in living cells and their dynamic remodeling in response to environmental changes remain an area of active research but are also subject to large uncertainty. The use of noninvasive methods such as X-ray and neutron scattering provides an attractive complimentary source of information to direct imaging because in vivo systems can be probed in near-natural conditions. However, without solid underlying structural modeling to properly interpret the indirect information extracted, scattering provides at best qualitative information and at worst direct misinterpretations. Here we review the current state of small-angle scattering applied to photosynthetic membrane systems with particular focus on data interpretation and modeling.
Highlights
The lamellar nature of thylakoids was shown in the pioneering works of Menke in 1940 (Menke, 1940a; Menke, 1940b) who studied the inner structure of chloroplasts by light and electron microscopies
We focus on small-angle scattering techniques: small-angle X-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering
This article critically reviews the current state of small angle scattering applied to photosynthetic membrane systems with a three-fold agenda: (1) to describe the basics of the method and present an overview of existing small-angle scattering results on photosynthetic membrane systems, (2) to discuss scattering results and their correlation with microscopy, critical points of result interpretation, and method limitations, and (3) to envision the development of the small angle scattering method with focus on data analysis and modeling in the field of photosynthetic membrane systems
Summary
The lamellar nature of thylakoids was shown in the pioneering works of Menke in 1940 (Menke, 1940a; Menke, 1940b) who studied the inner structure of chloroplasts by light and electron microscopies.
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