Structure of a photosystem II-FCPII supercomplex from a haptophyte reveals a distinct antenna organization.
La Rocca, R., Kato, K., Tsai, P.C., Nakajima, Y., Akita, F., Shen, J.R.(2025) Nat Commun 16: 4175-4175
- PubMed: 40325014 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59512-9
- Primary Citation Related Structures: 
9KQB - PubMed Abstract: 
Haptophytes are unicellular algae that produce 30 to 50% of biomass in oceans. Among haptophytes, a subset named coccolithophores is characterized by calcified scales. Despite the importance of coccolithophores in global carbon fixation and CaCO 3 production, their energy conversion system is still poorly known. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopic structure of photosystem II (PSII)-fucoxanthin chlorophyll c-binding protein (FCPII) supercomplex from Chyrostila roscoffensis, a representative of coccolithophores. This complex has two sets of six dimeric and monomeric FCPIIs, with distinct orientations. Interfaces of both FCPII/FCPII and FCPII/core differ from previously reported. We also determine the sequence of Psb36, a subunit previously found in diatoms and red algae. The principal excitation energy transfer (EET) pathways involve mainly 5 FCPIIs, where one FCPII monomer mediates EET to CP47. Our findings provide a solid structural basis for EET and energy dissipation pathways occurring in coccolithophores.
- Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Advanced Research Field, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
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