Lipid fingerprints and cofactor dynamics of light-harvesting complex II in different membranes (Biophysical Journal)

Protein machineries involved in natural photosynthesis rely on multiple antenna complexes which capture the light energy and funnel it to the reaction center. Here, we provide coarse-grained simulations of light-harvesting complex II, the major antenna complex of plants. Our simulations reveal that the chromophores, which are responsible for the light capturing, change their flexibility and average distances upon trimer formation. This suggests that interactions with other proteins can impact the optical properties of the antenna complex. In addition, the lipid fingerprint of light-harvesting complex II shows a strong preference for monogalactosyldiacylglycerol lipids which are non-bilayer forming lipids present in the thylakoid membrane.