Structural basis for energy transfer pathways in the plant PSI-LHCI supercomplex

Abstract

Photosystem I enters into the spotlight Plants rely on large complexes of proteins, chlorophyll, and other cofactors to turn light into chemical energy. Qin et al. present the crystal structures of photosystem I (PSI) and the light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) supercomplex from pea plants (see the Perspective by Croce). The well-resolved structure of the outer antenna complexes and their interaction with the PSI core provide a structural basis for calculating excitation energy transfer efficiency. Moreover, the organization and orientation of chlorophyll and carotenoid cofactors within and between PSI and LHCI hint at energy transfer and photoprotection mechanisms. Science , this issue p. 989 ; see also p. 970