Molecular Factors Controlling Photosynthetic Light Harvesting by Carotenoids

0355266 - BC 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Polívka, Tomáš - Frank, H.A.
Molecular Factors Controlling Photosynthetic Light Harvesting by Carotenoids.
Accounts of Chemical Research. Roč. 43, č. 8 (2010), s. 1125-1134. ISSN 0001-4842. E-ISSN 1520-4898
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50510513
Keywords : carotenoids * energy transfer * photosynthesis * light-harvesting
Subject RIV: BO - Biophysics
Impact factor: 21.840, year: 2010

Paper summarizes current spectroscopic data describing the excited state energies and ultrafast dynamics of purified carotenoids in solution and bound in light-harvesting complexes from purple bacteria, marine algae, and green plants. Many of these complexes can be modified using mutagenesis or pigment exchange which facilitates the elucidation of correlations between structure and function. We describe the structural and electronic factors controlling the function of carotenoids as energy donors. We also discuss unresolved issues related to the nature of spectroscopically dark excited states, which could play a role in light harvesting.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0194078