Water-oxidizing Complex Research Articles

Coordination between manganese and nitrogen within the ligands in the manganese complexes facilitates the reconstitution of the water-oxidizing complex in manganese-depleted photosystem II preparations

The water-oxidizing complex (WOC) within photosystem II (PSII) can be reconstituted with synthetic manganese complexes by a process called photoactivation; however, the key factors affecting the efficiency of synthetic manganese complexes in reconstitution of electron transport and oxygen evolution activity in manganese-depleted PSII remain unclear. In the present study, four complexes with different manganese coordination environments were used to reconstitute the WOC, and an interesting relationship was found between the coordination environment of the manganese atom in the complexes and their efficiency in restoring electron transport and oxygen evolution. If Mn(II) is coordinated to nitrogen atoms within the ligand, it can restore significant rates of electron transport and oxygen evolution; however, if the manganese atom is coordinated only to oxygen atoms instead of nitrogen atoms, it has no capability to restore electron transport and oxygen evolution. So, our results demonstrate that the capability of manganese complexes to reconstitute the WOC is mainly determined by the coordination between nitrogen atoms from ligands and the manganese atom. It is suggested from our results that the ligation between the nitrogen atom and the manganese atom within the manganese complex facilitates the photoligation of the manganese atom to histidyl residues on the apo-protein in manganese-depleted PSII during photoactivation.

Effect of bicarbonate on the water-oxidizing complex of photosystem II in the super-reduced S-states

It is shown that the hydrazine-induced transition of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) to super-reduced S-states depends on the presence of bicarbonate in the medium so that after a 20 min treatment of isolated spinach thylakoids with 3 mM NH 2NH 2 at 20 °C in the CO 2/HCO 3 −-depleted buffer the S-state populations are: 42% of S −3, 42% of S −2, 16% of S −1 and even formal S −4 state is reached, while in the presence of 2 mM NaHCO 3, the same treatment produces 30% of S −3, 38% of S −2, and 32% of S −1 and there is no indication of the S −4 state. Bicarbonate requirement for the oxygen-evolving activity, very low in untreated thylakoids, considerably increases upon the transition of the WOC to the super-reduced S-states, and the requirement becomes low again when the WOC returns back to the normal S-states using pre-illumination. The results are discussed as a possible indication of ligation of bicarbonate to manganese ions within the WOC.

Characterization of the water oxidizing complex of photosystem II of the Chl d-containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina via its reactivity towards endogenous electron donors and acceptors

Acaroychloris (A.) marina is a unique oxygen evolving organism that contains a large amount of chlorophyll d (Chl d) and only very few Chl a molecules. This feature raises questions on the nature of the photoactive pigment, which supports light-induced oxidative water splitting in Photosystem II (PS II). In this study, flash-induced oxygen evolution patterns (FIOPs) were measured to address the question whether the S(i) state transition probabilities and/or the redox-potentials of the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in its different S(i) states are altered in A. marina cells compared to that of spinach thylakoids. The analysis of the obtained data within the framework of different versions of the Kok model reveals that in light activated A. marina cells the miss probability is similar compared to spinach thylakoids. This finding indicates that the redox-potentials and kinetics within the WOC, of the reaction center (P680) and of Y(Z) are virtually the same for both organisms. This conclusion is strongly supported by lifetime measurements of the S(2) and S(3) states. Virtually identical time constants were obtained for the slow phase of deactivation. Kinetic differences in the fast phase of S(2) and S(3) decay between A. marina cells and spinach thylakoids reflect a shift of the E(m) of Y(D)/Y(D)(ox) to lower values in the former compared to the latter organisms, as revealed by the observation of an opposite change in the kinetics of S(0) oxidation to S(1) by Y(D)(ox). A slightly increased double hit probability in A. marina cells is indicative of a faster Q(A)(-) to Q(B) electron transfer in these cells compared to spinach thylakoids.

Mutagenesis of CP43-arginine-357 to serine reveals new evidence for (bi)carbonate functioning in the water oxidizing complex of Photosystem II

The chlorophyll-binding protein CP43 is an inner subunit of the Photosystem II (PSII) reaction center core complex of all oxygenic photoautotrophs. X-Ray structural evidence places the guanidinium cation of the conserved arginine 357 residue of CP43 within a few Angstroms to the Mn(4)Ca cluster of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) and has been implicated as a possible carbonate binding site. To test the hypothesis, the serine mutant, CP43-R357S, from Synechocystis PCC 6803 was investigated by PSII variable fluorescence (F(v)/F(m)) and simultaneous flash O(2) yield measurements in cells and thylakoid membranes. The R357S mutant assembles PSII-WOC centers, but is unable to grow photoautotrophically. Reconstitution of O(2) evolution by photoactivation and the occurrence of period-four oscillations of F(v)/F(m) establishes that the R357S mutant contains an assembled Mn(4)Ca cluster, but turnover is impaired as seen by an 11-fold larger Kok double miss parameter and faster decay of upper S states. Using pulsed light to avoid photoinactivation, wild-type cells and thylakoid membranes exhibit a 2-4-fold loss in O(2) evolution rate upon partial bicarbonate depletion under multiple turnover conditions, while the R357S mutant is unaffected by bicarbonate. Arginine R357 appears to function in binding a (bi)carbonate ion essential to normal catalytic turnover of the WOC. The quantum yield of electron donation from the WOC into PSII increases with decreasing turnover rate in R357S mutant cells and involves an aborted two-flash pathway that is distinct from the classical four-flash pattern. We speculate that an altered photochemical mechanism for O(2) production occurs via formation of hydrogen peroxide, by analogy to other treatments that retard the kinetics of proton release into the lumen.

The role of D1-Ala344 in charge stabilization and recombination in Photosystem II

The Ala344 residue of the D1 protein has been identified as a crucial residue of the catalytic cluster of the water-oxidizing complex, however, its function has not been fully clarified. Here we have used thermoluminescence and flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to characterize the effect of the D1-Ala344stop mutation on the electron transport of Photosystem II in intact cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. Although the mutant cannot grow photoautotrophically it shows flash-induced thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence signals reflecting the stabilization of negative and positive charges on the Q(A) and Q(B) quinone electron acceptors, and stable Photosystem II donors, respectively. Decay of flash induced chlorophyll fluorescence yield is multiphasic in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), with 6 ms, 350 ms, and 26 s time constants. When cells are illuminated with repetitive flashes, fired at 1 ms intervals, the 6 ms phase is gradually decreased with the concomitant increase of the 350 ms phase. After 45 min dark adaptation of mutant cells the 6 ms and 350 ms phases were significantly decreased and a very slow decaying component was formed. Flash induced oscillation of the thermoluminescence B band, which reflects the redox cycling of the water-oxidizing complex in the wild-type cells, was completely abolished in the D1-Ala344stop mutant. The results demonstrate that low efficiency photooxidation of Mn occurs in about 60% of the PSII centers. The photooxidizable Mn is unstable in the dark, and formation of higher S states is inhibited. In addition, the Q(A) to Q(B) electron transfer step is slowed down as an indirect consequence of the donor side modification. Our data indicate that the stabilization of a Mn ion by the alpha-carboxylate chain of the D1-Ala344 residue might represent one of the final steps in the assembly of functional catalytic sites for water oxidation.

Structural Dynamics of the Manganese-Stabilizing ProteinEffect of pH, Calcium, and Manganese

The photosystem-II-associated 33-kDa extrinsic manganese-stabilizing protein is found in all oxygen-evolving organisms. In this paper, we show that this protein undergoes pH-induced conformational changes in the physiological pH range. At a neutral pH of 7.2, the hydrophobic amino acid residues that are most likely located inside the beta barrel are "closed" and the protein binds neither Mn2+ nor Ca2+ ions. When the protein is transferred to a solution with a slightly acidic pH of 5.7, hydrophobic amino acid residues become exposed to the surrounding medium, enabling them to bind the fluorescent probe 8,1-ANS. At this pH-induced open state, Mn2+ and Ca2+ bind to the manganese-stabilizing protein. The pH values used in this study, 7.2 and 5.7, are typical of the pH found in the thylakoid lumen in the dark and light, respectively. A model is presented in which the manganese-stabilizing protein undergoes a pH-dependent conformational change that in turn influences its capacity to bind calcium and manganese. In this model, the proton-dependent conformational changes of the tertiary structure of the manganese-stabilizing protein are of functional relevance for the regulation of substrate (water) delivery to and product (proton) release from the water-oxidizing complex by forming a proton-sensing proton-transport pathway.

Reconstruction of the water-oxidizing complex in manganese-depleted Photosystem II using synthetic manganese complexes

The efficiency of a trinuclear and two binuclear manganese complexes in reconstituting electron transport and O 2 evolution activity in Mn-depleted Photosystem II preparations is analyzed. The trinuclear Mn-complex is more efficient than two binuclear Mn-complexes in restoring oxygen evolution, but it is less effective as an electron donor than binuclear Mn-complexes. It is inferred from our results that recovery of electron transport and O 2 evolution with polynuclear Mn-complexes is affected with different factors. Moreover, the trinuclear Mn-complex is extremely sensitive to the addition of CaCl 2. It is suggested that there is an interaction between Ca 2+ and carboxyl within the trinuclear Mn-complex during photoactivation and this interaction benefits the ligation of Mn atom to the apo-WOC and form an active WOC. Binuclear Mn(III)Mn(III) complex shows slightly higher efficiency than binuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV) complex in restoration of O 2 evolution activity. The efficiency of three Mn-complexes in the reconstitution of WOC is in an order: trinuclear Mn 3(III) > binuclear Mn(III)Mn(III) > binuclear Mn(III)Mn(IV).

A New Family of Ru Complexes for Water Oxidation

Reaction of the bridging ligand 3,6-bis-[6'-(1' ',8' '-naphthyrid-2' '-yl)-pyrid-2'-yl]pyridazine (1) with [Ru(DMSO)4Cl2] in aqueous ethanol followed by excess 4-substituted pyridine (4-R-py) in the presence of triethylamine provides a series of three well-organized dinuclear complexes characterized by 1H NMR, MS, and X-ray. Mononuclear analogues are prepared from 4-tert-butyl-2,6-di(1',8'-naphthyrid-2'-yl)pyridine (5) and characterized in a similar fashion. All six complexes show electronic absorption and redox properties consistent with the electron donor/acceptor ability of the axial 4-R-py ligand. When an acetonitrile solution of the catalyst is added to an aqueous Ce(IV)-CF3SO3H solution (pH = 1.0) at 24 degrees C, oxygen evolution is observed for both mono and dinuclear systems. Turnover numbers range from 50 to 3200 with the best results being found when the axial ligand is 4-methylpyridine (mononuclear TN = 580 and dinuclear TN = 3200).

X-ray spectroscopy of the Mn4Ca cluster in the water-oxidation complex of Photosystem II

The water-oxidation complex of Photosystem II (PS II) contains a heteronuclear cluster of 4 Mn atoms and a Ca atom. Ligands to the metal cluster involve bridging O atoms, and O and N atoms from amino acid side-chains of the D1 polypeptide of PS II, with likely additional contributions from water and CP43. Although moderate resolution X-ray diffraction-based structures of PS II have been reported recently, and the location of the Mn4Ca cluster has been identified, the structures are not resolved at the atomic level. X-ray absorption (XAS), emission (XES), resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) provide independent and potentially highly accurate sources of structural and oxidation-state information. When combined with polarized X-ray studies of oriented membranes or single-crystals of PS II, a more detailed picture of the cluster and its disposition in PS II is obtained.

Photoinactivation of Photosystem II by flashing light

Inhibition of Photosystem II (PS II) activity by single turnover visible light flashes was studied in thylakoid membranes isolated form spinach. Flash illumination results in decreased oxygen evolving activity of PS II, which effect is most pronounced when the water-oxidizing complex is in the S2 and S3 states, and increases with increasing time delay between the subsequent flashes. By applying the fluorescent spin-trap DanePy, we detected the production of singlet oxygen, whose amount was increasing with increasing flash spacing. These findings were explained in the framework of a model, which assumes that recombination of the S2QB - and S3QB - states generate the triplet state of the reaction center chlorophyll and lead to the production of singlet oxygen.

Ca cofactor of the water-oxidation complex: Evidence for a Mn/Ca heteronuclear cluster

Calcium and chloride are necessary cofactors for the proper function of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Photosystem II (PS II). Located in the thylakoid membranes of green plants, cyanobacteria and algae, PS II and the OEC catalyze the light-driven oxidation of water into dioxygen (released into the biosphere), protons and electrons for carbon fixation. The actual chemistry of water oxidation is performed by a cluster of four manganese atoms, along with the requisite cofactors Ca{sup 2+} and Cl{sup -}. While the Mn complex has been extensively studied by X-ray absorption techniques, comparatively less is known about the Ca{sup 2+} cofactor. The fewer number of studies on the Ca{sup 2+} cofactor have sometimes relied on substituting the native cofactor with strontium or other metals, and have stirred some debate about the structure of the binding site. past efforts using Mn EXAFS on Sr-substituted PSII are suggestive of a close link between the Mn cluster and Sr, within 3.5 {angstrom}. The most recent published study using Sr EXAFS on similar samples confirms this finding of a 3.5 {angstrom} distance between Mn and Sr. This finding was base3d on a second Fourier peak (R {approx} 3 {angstrom}) in the Sr EXAFS from functionalmore » samples, but is absent from inactive, hydroxylamine-treated PS II. This Fourier peak II was found to fit best to two Mn at 3.5 {angstrom} rather than lighter atoms (carbon). Nevertheless, other experiments have given contrary results. They wanted to extend the technique by using polarized Sr EXAFS on layered Sr-substituted samples, to provide important angle information. Polarized EXAFS involves collecting spectra for different incident angles ({theta}) between the membrane normal of the layered sample and the X-ray electric field vector. Dichroism in the EXAFS can occur, depending on how the particular absorber-backscatterer (A-B) vector is aligned with the electric field. Through analysis of the dichroism, they extract the average number of scatterers per absorbing atom (N{sub iso}). Constraints on the structural model are then imposed by these parameters. In a complementary and definitive experiment, they use Ca K-edge EXAFS studies to probe the binding site of the native cofactor for any nearby Mn, within {approx} 4 {angstrom}. This is analogous to the Sr EXAFS studies already published, but it focuses on the native cofactor and avoids the treatments involving Ca depletion and Sr substitution. The samples examined were PS II membrane particles from spinach. This new technique promises to be a more sensitive and direct probe of the calcium binding site in PS II than Sr EXAFS. Clarifying whether the Ca cofactor is proximate to the Mn cluster, and finding its coordination environment at the various intermediate S-states of the OEC will reveal its important role in oxygen evolution.« less

Reconstruction of the water-oxidizing complex in manganese-depleted Photosystem II by using Schiff base manganese complexes

The efficiency of Schiff base manganese complexes in reconstituting Photosystem II (PS II) electron flow and oxygen-evolution capacity was analyzed in PS II deprived of their manganese cluster and the extrinsic regulatory subunits. Three Schiff base complexes, mononuclear Mn(salpn) 2, binuclear [Mn(salpn)] 2(ClO 4) 2 and μ-oxo binuclear [Mn(salpn)O] 2, salpn: 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)propane, were used for reconstruction of electron transport and oxygen evolution. Order of reconstruction effect is as follows: μ-oxo binuclear Mn(III) > binuclear Mn(III) > mononuclear Mn(II).

Crystal structure of the PsbP protein of photosystem II from Nicotiana tabacum.

PsbP is a membrane-extrinsic subunit of the water-oxidizing complex photosystem II (PS II). The evolutionary origin of PsbP has long been a mystery because it specifically exists in higher plants and green algae but not in cyanobacteria. We report here the crystal structure of PsbP from Nicotiana tabacum at a resolution of 1.6 A. Its structure is mainly composed of beta-sheet, and is not similar to any structures in cyanobacterial PS II. However, the electrostatic surface potential of PsbP is similar to that of cyanobacterial PsbV (cyt c(550)), which has a function similar to PsbP. A structural homology search with the DALI algorithm indicated that the folding of PsbP is very similar to that of Mog1p, a regulatory protein for the nuclear transport of Ran GTPase. The structure of PsbP provides insight into its novel function in GTP-regulated metabolism in PS II.

Evidence for a direct manganese-oxygen ligand in water binding to the S2 state of the photosynthetic water oxidation complex.

The interaction of water with the water oxidizing Mn complex of photosystem II has been investigated using electron spin-echo envelope modulation spectroscopy in the presence of H(2)(17)O. The spectra show interaction of the (17)O with the preparation in the S(2) state induced by 200 K illumination. The modulation is observed only in the center of the multiline spectrum. The inferred hyperfine coupling terms are compatible with water (not hydroxyl) oxygen bound to a particular quasi-axial Mn(III) center in a coupled Mn cluster.

Analysis of the P680+˙ reduction pattern and its temperature dependence in oxygen-evolving PS II core complexes from thermophilic cyanobacteria and higher plants

The multiphasic P680+˙ reduction kinetics by YZ and their temperature dependence were investigated in PS II core complexes with high oxygen evolution capacity, isolated from a thermophilic cyanobacterium (Thermosynechococcus elongatus) and a higher plant (Spinacea oleracea). Measurements and kinetic analyses of laser flash induced 820 nm absorption changes (reflecting the turnover of P680) led to the following results: (a) the pattern of multiphasic P680+˙ reduction is basically the same in both species, (b) the activation energy of the “fast” nanosecond kinetics is 20 ± 5 kJ mol−1 and 14 ± 5 kJ mol−1 for the samples from T. elongatus and S. oleracea, respectively, (c) the activation energies of this reaction are nearly the same in complexes with water oxidizing complex (WOC) in redox states S1 and S2, (d) the activation energy of the “slow” nanosecond kinetics ascribed to “local” relaxation processes is larger by almost a factor of two compared to that of the “fast” nanosecond kinetics, and (e) the normalized amplitudes of the “fast” and “slow” nanosecond kinetics are virtually independent of temperature in the physiological range for PS II core complexes from both organisms. Based on these findings the energetics and kinetics of P680+˙ reduction in fully competent PS II is briefly discussed within the framework of a dynamic model of sequential relaxation processes. The protein dynamics are inferred to provide the major contribution to the driving force of the redox reaction.

D1 protein processing and Mn cluster assembly in light of the emerging Photosystem II structure

The formation of the (Mn4–Ca) center of the water oxidation complex (WOC) of Photosystem II (PSII) occurs via a complex post-translational assembly pathway involving the proteolytic processing of the D1 protein precursor and the light-driven assembly, termed photoactivation, of the (Mn4–Ca). Photoactivation consists of a sequence of light-activated steps, involving Mn oxidation, separated by ‘dark’ molecular rearrangements, which are necessary for creating the coordination environment for the incoming metals. Initially, only one high affinity Mn binding site exists in the apo-WOC, whereas the remaining metal binding sites are created during the photoactivation process. Although much progress has been made in defining these processes, the molecular details remain obscure. Recently, X-ray crystallographic analyses have begun to reveal the molecular structure of PSII raising the possibility of formulating tentative structure-based mechanisms for the proteolytic processing and (Mn4–Ca) photoassembly events. Here an attempt is made to review and assemble the current kinetic and structural data to begin to develop a plausible molecular model for the assembly of the (Mn4–Ca) with particular emphasis placed on the proteolytic processing of the D1 protein precursor and the nature of ‘dark’ rearrangements occurring on the assembly of the (Mn4–Ca).

Oxidation potentials and electron donation to photosystem II of manganese complexes containing bicarbonate and carboxylate ligands

The oxidation potentials of MnII in aqueous solutions of bicarbonate, formate, acetate and oxalate are reported as a function of concentration and compared to the rate of photooxidation of these solutions by the Mn-depleted water-oxidizing complex of photosystem II (apo-WOC-PSII) from peas. Although all the carboxylate species lower considerably the oxidation potential of MnII, only bicarbonate stimulates the electron transfer from MnII to apo-WOC-PSII. On the basis of the electrochemical data it is proposed that the unique capability of Mn-bicarbonate complexes to be photooxidized by PSII could be due to four possible reasons: (i) significantly larger decrease in the oxidation potential of MnII (down to 0.52 V); (ii) electroneutrality of the functional electron transfer complex; (iii) the more favorable energetics reflected in the two pKa values for H2CO3/HCO3− and HCO3−/CO32− and greater number of proton transfer sites; and (iv) multiple composition possibilities for the MnIII photo-product as MnIII(HCO3−)3, MnIII(HCO3−)(CO32−) and MnIII(HCO3−)2(OH−) (due to the high Lewis acidity of MnIII (pK < 1).

Crystal structure of the PsbQ protein of photosystem II from higher plants.

The smallest extrinsic polypeptide of the water-oxidizing complex (PsbQ) was extracted and purified from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) photosystem II (PSII) membranes. It was then crystallized in the presence of Zn(2+) and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction at 1.95-A resolution using the multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction method, with the zinc as the anomalous scatterer. The crystal structure shows that the core of the protein is a four-helix bundle, whereas the amino-terminal portion, which possibly interacts with the photosystem core, is not visible in the crystal. The distribution of positive and negative charges on the protein surface might explain the ability of PsbQ to increase the binding of Cl(-) and Ca(2+) and make them available to PSII.

Sucrose and Glycerol Effects on Photosystem II

Photosystem II catalyzes the oxidation of water and the reduction of plastoquinone. The active site cycles among five oxidation states, which are called the S n states. PSII purification procedures include the use of the cosolvents, sucrose and/or glycerol, to stabilize water splitting activity and for cryoprotection. In this study, the effects of sucrose and glycerol on PSII were investigated. Sucrose addition was observed to stimulate the steady-state rate of oxygen evolution in the range from 0 to 1.35 M. Glycerol addition was observed to stimulate oxygen evolution in the range from 0 to 30%. Both cosolvents were observed to be inhibitory at higher concentrations. Sucrose addition was shown to have no effect on the rate of Q A − oxidation or on the K M for exogenous acceptor. PSII was then treated to remove extrinsic proteins. In these samples, sucrose addition stimulated activity, but glycerol addition was inhibitory at concentrations higher than ∼0.5 M. This inhibitory effect of glycerol at relatively low concentrations is attributed to glycerol binding to the active site, when extrinsic subunits are not present. Reaction induced FTIR spectra, associated with the S 1 to S 2 transition of the water-oxidizing complex, exhibited significant differences throughout the 1,800–1,200 cm −1 region, when glycerol- and sucrose-containing samples were compared. These measurements suggest a cosolvent-induced shift in the pK A of an aspartic or glutamic acid side chain, as well as structural changes at the active site. These structural alterations are attributed to a change in preferential hydration of the oxygen-evolving complex.

Electron transfer from cytochrome b559 and tyrosineD to the S2 and S3 states of the water oxidizing complex in photosystem II

We have investigated the electron transfer from reduced tyrosine YD (YDred) and cytochrome b559 to the S2 and S3 states of the water oxidizing complex (WOC) in Photosystem II. The EPR signal of oxidized cyt b559, the S2 state multiline EPR signal and the EPR signal from YD@? were measured to follow the electron transfer to the S2 and S3 states at 245 and 275 K. The majority of the S2 centers was reduced directly from YDred but at 245 K we observed oxidation of cyt b559 in about 20% of the centers. Incubation of the YDredS3 state resulted in biphasic changes of the S2 multiline signal. The signal first increased due to reduction of the S3 state. Thereafter, the signal decreased due to decay of the S2 state. In contrast, the YD@? signal increased with a monophasic kinetics at both temperatures. Again, we observed oxidation of cyt b559 in about 20% of the PSII centers at 245 K. This oxidation correlated with the decay of the S2 state. The complex changes can be explained by the conversion of YDredS3 centers (present initially) to YD@?S1 centers, via the intermediate YD@?S2 state. The early increase of the S2 state multiline signal involves electron transfer from YDred to the S3 state resulting in formation of YD@?S2. This state is reduced by cyt b559 resulting in a single exponential oxidation of cyt b559. Taken together, these results indicate that the electron donor to S2 is cyt b559 while cyt b559 is unable to compete with YDred in the reduction of the S3 state in the pre-reduced samples. We also followed the decay of the S2 and S3 states and the oxidation of cyt b559 in samples where YD was oxidized from the start. In this case cyt b559 was able to reduce both the S2 and the S3 states suggesting that different pathways exist for the electron transfer from cyt b559 to the WOC. The activation energies for the YDredS2->YD@?S1 and YDredS3->YD@?S2 transformations are 0.57 and 0.67 eV, respectively, and the reason for these large activation energies is discussed. (Less)