Exposure to light is compulsory for photosynthetic organisms for the conversion of inorganic compounds into organic ones. However, if there is too much solar energy, the photosystems and other cell components could be damaged.
Thanks to special protective proteins, the over-excitation is converted into heat – in the process called non-photochemical quenching.
The object of the published study, OCP, was one of such defenders. It was first isolated in 1981 from representatives of the ancient group of photosynthetic bacteria – yanobacteria. OCP comprises two domains forming a cavity, in which a carotenoid pigment is embedded. [Read more…] about Scientists shed light on the mechanism of photoactivation of the orange carotenoid protein