Size, shape and mass of the oxygen‐evolving photosystem II complex from the thermophilic cyanobacteriumSynechococcussp

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two different, highly active O2‐evolving photosystem II complexes were purified from the cyanobacteriumSynechococcussp. in the presence of the non‐ionic detergent β‐dodecyl‐D‐maltoside. Both complexes are homogeneous and have molecular masses of approx. 300 and 500 kDa, respectively. By electron microscopy it was found that both complexes have the shape of an elliptical disk, with a thickness of about 6.5 nm and top view dimensions of 10.5 × 15.5 nm for the 300 kDa particle and 18.5 × 15 nm for the 500 kDa particle. It is concluded that the particles represent monomeric and dimeric forms of photosystem II.