Peridinin-chlorophyll a proteins of dinoflagellate algae. [Role in photosynthesis]

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Abstract
The pigments which function as the energy collection systems for photosynthesis are either tetrapyrroles or carotenoids. In the oceans, which cover over 70 percent of the surface of the earth, carotenoids may be more important than chlorophylls for photosynthetic energy capture by phytoplankton. A characteristic feature of the principal marine phytoplankton is the possession of a high carotenoid content. In general each major group of phytoplankton has a specific carotenoid which accounts for a major portion of the total carotenoid content. The peridinin-chlorophyll a proteins from dinoflagellates examined were found to exist in a unique and distinctive pattern as shown by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel. These patterns may be of value for species identification and provide a biochemical marker for a particular species. To date, no similar proteins have been isolated from other phytoplankton groups.

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