A potential role of chlorophylls b and c in assembly of light-harvesting complexes

Chlorophyll (Chl)-containing light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) in chloroplasts of plant and algal cells usually include an oxidized Chi (Chl b or c) in addition to Chl a. Oxidation of peripheral groups on the tetrapyrrole structure increases the Lewis acid strength of the central Mg atom. We propose that the resulting stronger coordination bonds between oxidized Chls and ligands in LHC apoproteins (LHCPs) stabilize the initial intermediates and thus promote assembly of LHCs within the chloroplast envelope. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.