Molecular mechanism of energy conversion by photosynthesis accompanied by water oxidation

Abstract

Photosynthetic organisms such as plants and cyanobacteria convert light energy to chemical energy efficiently by photosynthetic electron transfer accompanied by water oxidation. Elucidation of their molecular mechanisms must be a very important subject not only for general scientific interest but also for helping to find solutions to energy and environmental problems. However, molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis, especially water oxidation for electron donation and regulation mechanisms of cofactors relating to the electron transfer in Photosystem II, are not yet clear. In this review, we interpret the structure of Photosystem II and the electron transfer system based on the redox potential of cofactors and water oxidation mechanisms. Furthermore, we introduce application research for energy reproduction by using Photosystem II.