Dynamics of the cyanobacterial photosynthetic network: Communication and modification of membrane protein complexes

Cyanobacterial photosystem 2 and cytochrome b6f complexes have been structurally resolved up to the molecular level while the adjustment of their function in response to environmental and intracellular parameters is based on various modifications of these complexes which have not yet been resolved in detail. This minireview summarizes recent results on two central modifications for each complex: (a) for the cytochrome b6f complex the implication of PetP, a new subunit, and of three copies of PetC, the Rieske protein, for the fine-tuning of the photosynthetic electron transport is evaluated; (b) for photosystem 2, the heterogeneity of the D1 subunit and the role of subunit Psb27 is discussed in relation to stress response and the biogenesis/repair cycle. The presented “dynamic” models for both complexes should illustrate the need to complement structural by more extensive functional models which consider the flexibility of individual complexes in the physiological context – beyond structure.