A conserved rubredoxin is necessary for photosystem II accumulation in diverse oxygenic photoautotrophs

Abstract

Background: Photosystem II is an essential component of oxygenic photosynthesis. Results: Photosystem II is specifically decreased in rubredoxin mutants of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Conclusion: Rubredoxin is required for photosystem II, and not photosystem I, accumulation in these organisms. Significance: Rubredoxin was likely important in the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.