STACKING AND SEPARATION OF PHOTOSYSTEM-I AND PHOTOSYSTEM-II IN PLANT THYLAKOID MEMBRANES - A PHYSICOCHEMICAL VIEW

The main objective of this article is to highlight important experimen tal findings and discuss current theories on photosystem segregation a nd stacking in thylakoid membranes. The facts are put in a framework o f recent theoretical developments in the field of membrane biochemistr y and biophysics. Some important experiments not considered by the cur rently accepted theories are discussed. Modifications of these theorie s in order to incorporate new results are proposed. The currently acce pted theories on formation of membrane domains (probably responsible f or segregation of photosystem I and II) and on interlamellar interacti ons (stacking) are discussed. Finally, a scheme is put forward summari sing the forces which are responsible for organisation of functional s tructure of thylakoid membranes.