Beyond expectations: uncovering a new mechanism for controlling Photosystem II antenna size
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci / Přírodovědecká fakulta
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-21131S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Beyond expectations: uncovering a new mechanism for controlling Photosystem II antenna size
Annotation in Czech
Despite major advances in cryo-electron microscopy (EM) of Photosystem II (PSII), our understanding remains limited to a few model organisms. The moss Physcomitrium patens represents a unique evolutionary bridge between algae and vascular plants, but a high-resolution structure of its PSII is still lacking. Preliminary structural data reveal unexpected features, including selective disassembly or replacement of the M-type LHCII trimer, suggesting a novel mechanism of antenna size modulation. This project will combine cryo-EM, cryo-electron tomography, and functional assays to uncover the molecular basis and regulatory controls of this phenomenon, focusing on the roles of phosphorylation and photoprotective proteins LHCSR and PSBS. By investigating wild type and mutant lines deficient in specific kinases, LHCSR, and PSBS, grown under defined light conditions, we aim to link PSII structural plasticity to photosynthetic regulation and its spatial organization in thylakoid membranes, with broader implications for the evolution and optimization of light harvesting in early land plants.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
OECD FORD - secondary branch
10610 - Biophysics
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
10611 - Plant sciences, botany
CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
BO - Biophysics<br>CE - Biochemistry<br>EB - Genetics and molecular biology<br>EF - Botany
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
Apr 30, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
8,913 thou. CZK
Public financial support
8,913 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK