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Integrating the proton circuit into photosynthesis: progress and challenges
Author(s) -
AVENSON T. J.,
KANAZAWA A.,
CRUZ J. A.,
TAKIZAWA K.,
ETTINGER W. E.,
KRAMER D. M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2005.01294.x
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , thylakoid , photosynthesis , key (lock) , proton , electron transfer , ephemeral key , computer science , biochemical engineering , chemistry , biophysics , nanotechnology , physics , biology , botany , computer security , engineering , materials science , chloroplast , photochemistry , biochemistry , economics , nuclear physics , management , gene
The formation of trans ‐thylakoid proton motive force ( pmf ) is coupled to light‐driven electron transfer and both powers the synthesis of ATP and acts as a signal for initiating antenna regulation. This key intermediate has been difficult to study because of its ephemeral and variable qualities. This review covers recent efforts to probe pmf in vivo as well as efforts to address one of the key questions in photosynthesis: How does the photosynthetic machinery achieve sufficient flexibility to meet the energetic and regulatory needs of the plant in a varying environment? It is concluded that pmf plays a central role in these flexibility mechanisms.