Photosynthetic cytochrome c550

Cytochrome c550 (cyt c550) is a membrane component of the PSII complex in cyanobacteria and some eukaryotic algae, such as red and brown algae. Cyt c550 presents a bis-histidine heme coordination which is very unusual for monoheme c-type cytochromes. In PSII, the cyt c550 with the other extrinsic proteins stabilizes the binding of Cl- and Ca2+ ions to the oxygen evolving complex and protects the Mn4Ca cluster from attack by bulk reductants. The role (if there is one) of the heme of the cyt c550 is unknown. The low midpoint redox potential (E-m) of the purified soluble form (from -250 to -314 mV) is incompatible with a redox function in PSII. However, more positive values for the Em have been obtained for the cyt c550 bound to the PSII. A very recent work has shown an E, value of +200 mV. These data open the possibility of a redox function for this protein in electron transfer in PSII. Despite the long distance (22 angstrom) between cyt c550 and the nearest redox cofactor (Mn4Ca cluster), an electron transfer reaction between these components is possible. Some kind of protective, cycle involving a soluble redox component in the lumen has also been proposed. The aim of this article is to review previous studies done on cyt c550 and to consider its function in the light of the new results obtained in recent years. The emphasis is on the physical properties of the heme and its redox properties. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: from Natural to Artificial. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.