Work

Mechanism for photosynthetic O2 evolution.

Year: 1986

Type: article

Abstract: We present a mechanism for photosynthetic O2 evolution based on a structural conversion of a Mn4O6 "adamantane"-like complex to a Mn4O4 "cubane"-like complex. EPR spectral data obtained from the S2 state of the O2-evolving complex are characteristic of a Mn4O4 cubane-like structure. Based on this structure for the manganese complex in the S2 state as well as a consideration of the other evidence available on the natural system and the coordination chemistry of manganese, structures are proposed for the five intermediate oxidation states of the manganese complex. A molecular mechanism for the formation of an O--O bond and the displacement of O2 from the S4 state is easily accommodated by the proposed model. The model is discussed in terms of recent EPR, x-ray, and UV spectral data obtained from the manganese site in the photosynthetic O2-evolving complex.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.83.13.4586

Authors: G W Brudvig, R H Crabtree

Institution: Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Biophysical and Bioinorganic Studies of Oxygen Evolution