The latest paper published by Nature of Zhejiang University: The first analysis of the three-dimensional structure of barley chloroplast photosystem I-NDH super-large complex

On December 8, 2021, Nature magazine published the breakthrough research results of the joint team of Zhejiang University and the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences—Barley Optical System I (PSI)-NDH Structure in the form of a long article.

Oxygen-containing photosynthesis uses solar energy to drive the oxidation of water and the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce oxygen and carbohydrates, which are essential for the maintenance of almost all life forms on the earth

There are two types of photosynthetic electron transfer pathways in the photoreaction process: linear and cyclic electron transfer

However, the fixation of CO2 requires more ATP, and this additional ATP is produced by ring electron transfer

This study analyzed the high-resolution structure of higher plant PSI-NDH complex for the first time, and revealed the structural basis of PSI-NDH-mediated regulation of photosynthetic ring electron transport

The results show that the PSI-NDH complex contains 2 PSI-LHCI, 1 NDH, and an unknown protein USP.

This study revealed for the first time the precise location and structural characteristics of the special antenna subunits Lhca5 and Lhca6 in PSI-LHCI.

The precise location and structural characteristics of 10 higher plant chloroplasts unique to NDH subunits are revealed for the first time.

The principle of PSI-LHCI-NDH interaction and complex assembly dependent on higher plants Lhca6 and PnsB2 was revealed for the first time

In addition, since the chloroplast NDH complex accepts electrons from Fd, the combination of NDH and two PSIs will increase the number of Fd, which may promote the transfer of electrons from PSI to NDH, especially under low light conditions, which can be more effective.

These results are not only important for understanding the mechanism of photosynthetic ring electron transfer regulation, for studying the adaptation of angiosperms to the terrestrial light environment in the evolutionary process, but also for improving the plant's light energy conversion, carbon dioxide fixation efficiency and stress resistance; It provides new ideas for using synthetic biology technology to construct a new type of efficient photosynthetic film electron transfer circuit, optimize the energy transfer path of photosynthetic film, and create high luminous efficiency and high carbon fixation photosynthetic components and modules; provide high-quality crops with high yield and high resistance Structural basis

Doctoral student Tang Kailu from Zhejiang University School of Basic Medicine, researcher Wang Wenda and Shen Liangliang of Institute of Botany are the co-first authors of the paper.