Light Regulation of the Thylakoid LHCII Protein Phosphorylation at the Substrate Level

The distribution of light energy between the two photosystems as well as the light-induced turnover of PSII proteins are regulated by the reversible phosphorylation of LHCII and the PSII-core proteins. The thylakoid protein kinase(s) is activated by a signal transduction system involving the interaction of reduced plastoquinone with the quinol oxidation site of the cytochrome bf complex [1]. Phosphorylation of the mobile pool of LHCII induces dissociation of this antenna from PSII and allows its interaction with the PSI in the stroma exposed membranes (state transition)[21. Dephosphorylation of LHCII by a membrane -bound phosphatase appears to be regulated by a cyclophilinlike protein locat…