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Phycobilisomes: Structure and function

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Cell Walls and Surfaces, Reproduction, Photosynthesis

Part of the book series: Experimental Phycology ((PHYCOLOGY,volume 1))

Abstract

Light harvesting pigments in the photosynthetic apparatus of plants function in light absorption and transfer of excited state energy to the reaction centres of the photosystems. In the evolution of antenna pigment systems in photoautotrophic plants the development of phycobiliproteins has played a decisive role. 1. The phycobiliproteins are present in the prokaryotic cyanobacteria which are virtually the first oxygen producing photosynthetic organisms, arising about 3 billion years ago (33). 2. There is increasing evidence that many recent species of cyanobacteria are capable not only of oxygenic, but also of (facultative) anoxygenic photosynthesis under appropriate conditions (26). This ability is reminiscent of the corresponding step from anaerobic to microaerobic life in the evolution of photosynthetic organisms in the Precambrium era. 3. Structurally and biochemically the chloroplasts of eukaryotic red algae show a high similarity with the photosynthetic apparatus of cyanobacteria and it is suspected have evolved from a cyanobacterium after an endosymbiotic event. Phycobiliproteins have thus successfully survived the evolutionary transition from pro- to eukaryotic cells (40). 4. Measurements of the photosynthetic action spectra of cyanobacteria and red algae show that most of the light responsible for oxygen production is captured by phycobiliproteins in an absorption range between 450 and 650 nm, whereas wavelengths absorbed by chlorophyll and carotenoids make little or no contribution. The functional importance of phycobiliproteins is therefore well established (2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße, D 3550, Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Werner Wehrmeyer

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  1. Werner Wehrmeyer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pflanzenphysiologisches, Institut der Universität, Untere Karspüle 2, 3400, Göttingen, Germany

    Wolfgang Wiessner  & David G. Robinson  & 

  2. The University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA

    Richard C. Starr Ph. D.

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Wehrmeyer, W. (1990). Phycobilisomes: Structure and function. In: Wiessner, W., Robinson, D.G., Starr, R.C. (eds) Cell Walls and Surfaces, Reproduction, Photosynthesis. Experimental Phycology, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-48652-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-48652-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-48654-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-48652-4

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