STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF PBS MODEL COMPLEX

A complex of phycobiliproteins, containing phycoerythrocyanin (PEC), C -phycovyanin (C-PC) and allo-phycocyanin (APC) as well as some linker polypeptides, was reconstructed. The absorption and fluorescence spect ra of the complex were compared with those of native phycobilisomes (P BS) and the phycobiliproteins. Based on the measured data, it can be c oncluded that the complex can he taken as a model of PBS and is an ent irely functional group for excitation energy transfer step by step fro m peripheral PEC to APC. The single terminal emitter feature of the co mplex makes it favorable for clarifying energy transfer pathways and t he kinetics in comparison with native PBS. Further research is carried on in the lab.