【中国新闻网】光合生物如何适应进化？中国团队破解高效捕获利用光能分子机制

Core Insights - Chinese scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how the marine phytoplankton, specifically the diatom, optimizes its photosynthetic system to adapt to varying light conditions in the ocean [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The research team led by researchers Wang Wenda and Tian Lijin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the unique strategy of diatoms in adapting their photosynthetic system structure at the atomic level [1] - The PSI-FCPI supercomplex of diatoms consists of 51 protein subunits and 819 pigment molecules, with a molecular weight of 1.66 megadaltons, significantly larger than known eukaryotic photosystem I complexes [2] - The light-harvesting efficiency of the diatom's PSI-FCPI exceeds 95%, comparable to that of terrestrial plants, indicating special protein assembly and energy transfer characteristics [2] Group 2: Structural Characteristics - The core of the diatom's photosystem I is surrounded by 38 phycobilin-chlorophyll a/c binding protein light-harvesting antennas, arranged in a modular fashion into eight radial bands, greatly expanding the light-capturing area [2] - The newly discovered light-harvesting antennas contain a high concentration of chlorophyll c and phycobilin types of carotenoids, effectively absorbing blue-green and green light wavelengths in deep water [4] Group 3: Ecological Importance - Diatoms, with their calcium carbonate cell walls, were major contributors to marine primary productivity during the Cretaceous period and play a crucial role in oceanic carbon deposition and the global carbon cycle [4]