Biogenesis and molecular architecture of native thylakoid membranes investigated by in situ cryo-electron tomography

光合作用的光依赖反应是由类囊体膜复杂的结构来协调的。然而，建立和维持类囊体结构的机制却知之甚少。在这个项目中，我们将探索真核和原核光合作用生物(衣藻和聚球藻)的分子景观。PCC6803)。玻璃体冷冻细胞用聚焦离子束稀释，然后用冷冻电子断层扫描成像，用分子细节揭示自然细胞环境。利用这些前所未有的深入细胞内部的观点，我们将研究：1)与类囊体构型和类囊体生物发生区域有关的光合作用复合体的分子组织，2)与类囊体膜结合的核糖体的结构及其相对于生物发生区域的分布，以及3)VIPP1的结构和这种蛋白质复合体在促进类囊体生物发生中的作用。这些调查将在2092财年与其他小组密切合作进行。

The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis are orchestrated by the intricate architecture of the thylakoid membranes. However, the mechanisms that establish and maintain thylakoid architecture are poorly understood. In this project, we will explore the molecular landscapes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Synechcocystis sp. PCC 6803) by in situ cryo-electron tomography. Vitreous frozen cells are thinned with a focused ion beam and then imaged by cryo-electron tomography, revealing native cellular environments with molecular detail. Using these unprecedented views into the cellular interior, we will investigate: 1) the molecular organization of photosynthetic complexes in relation to thylakoid architecture and regions of thylakoid biogenesis, 2) the structure of thylakoid-bound ribosomes and their distribution relative to biogenetic regions, and 3) the structure oligomeric VIPP1 and the role of this protein complex in facilitating thylakoid biogenesis. These investigations will be carried out in close collaboration with other groups in FOR2092.