Psb30 contributes to structurally stabilise the Photosystem II complex in the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus

A deletion mutant that lacks the Psb30 protein, one of the small subunits of Photosystem II, was constructed in a Thermosynechococcus elongatus strain in which the D1 protein is expressed from the psbA3 gene (WT*). The ΔPsb30 mutant appears more susceptible to photodamage, has a cytochrome b559 that is converted into the low potential form, and probably also lacks the PsbY subunit. In the presence of an inhibitor of protein synthesis, the ∆Psb30 lost more rapidly the water oxidation function than the WT* under the high light conditions. These results suggest that Psb30 contributes to structurally and functionally stabilise the Photosystem II complex in preventing the conversion of cytochrome b559 into the low potential form. Structural reasons for such effects are discussed.