Cryo-imaging of photosystems and phycobilisomes in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 cells

• Simple LSC system suitable for cryo-imaging of photosynthetic organisms
• Co-localization of both photosystems and phycobilisomes in native cyanobacteria
• Presence of heterogeneous thylakoid membrane domains in cyanobacteria
• Presence of thylakoid membrane domains containing mostly photosystem I

Primary photosynthetic reactions take place inside thylakoid membrane where light-to-chemical energy conversion is catalyzed by two pigment-protein complexes, photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). Light absorption in cyanobacteria is increased by pigment-protein supercomplexes — phycobilisomes (PBSs) situated on thylakoid membrane surfaces that transfer excitation energy into both photosystems. We have explored the localization of PSI, PSII and PBSs in thylakoid membrane of native cyanobacteria cell Anabaena sp. 7120 by means of cryogenic confocal microscopy. We have adapted a conventional temperature controlling stage to an Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope. The presence of red shifted emission of chlorophylls from PSI has been confirmed by spectral measurements. Confocal fluorescence images of PSI (in a spectral range 710–750 nm), PSII (in a spectral range 690–705 nm) and PBSs (in a spectral range 650–680 nm) were recorded at low temperature. Co-localization of images showed spatial heterogeneity of PSI, PSII and PBSs over the thylakoid membrane, and three dominant areas were identified: PSI-PSII-PBS supercomplex area, PSII-PBS supercomplex area and PSI area. The observed results were discussed with regard to light-harvesting regulation in cyanobacteria.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide