The Extended Light-Harvesting Complex (LHC) Protein Superfamily: Classification and Evolutionary Dynamics

Abstract

The evolution of algae and land plants and their photosynthetic machineries is closely connected to the development of the extended light-harvesting complex (LHC) protein superfamily. Therefore, it is not surprising that the molecular organization, function and origin of the LHC proteins have been a central topic in plant biology and photosynthesis research during the last few years. The extended LHC protein superfamily in cyanobacteria and photosynthetic eukaryotes comprises different families, such as the LHC proteins and three groups of light stress-induced proteins, consisting of the LHC-like proteins, the red lineage CAB-like proteins and the photosystem II subunit S. This chapter provides a description of the different extended LHC superfamily members and shows their taxonomic distribution. Furthermore, an overview of scenarios suggested for the evolution of the extended LHC protein superfamily is provided and arised implications for light harvesting, stress responses and photoprotection are discussed.