Oxygenic Photoautotrophs: Phosphorylation and Oligomeric State of Photosystem 2. Responses to Stress. A Review

Abstract

A review is presented on some aspects of metabolism and supramolecular structures typical of oxygenic photoautotrophs, in particular the higher plants: (i) The problem of photosystem 2 (PS2) heterogeneity, namely the PS2 core-protein phosphorylation and PS2 oligomeric state, are discussed. There are at least four proteins reversibly phosphorylated in the PS2 core. The phosphorylation is light-dependent and its exact function is unclear. The PS2 dimer, usually considered the native state, may not be the only form occurringin vivo. (ii) The reaction of plants to various stress factors is described. Heat shock, reactive oxygen species and toxic metal exposition have been chosen as stressor examples, since the response of plants to them is specific and different from animals. A review with 182 references.