Excitation energy transfer in the antenna system with divinyl-chlorophylls in the vinyl reductase-expressing Arabidopsis

We examined the excitation energy transfer and electron transfer processes in Arabidopsis thaliana thylakoid membranes following replacement of chlorophyll (Chl) molecules by expression of the vinyl reductase: monovinyl (MV)-Chl was replaced with divinyl (DV)-Chl and the DV-Chl a/DV-Chl b ratio was higher than that of control cells. By this replacement, energy transfer within the photosystem (PS) II became faster, whereas the PS II-to-PS I energy transfer was slower. In the DV-Chl mutant system, the delayed fluorescence from PS II was not resolved. Alternations of the antenna system and the reaction center are discussed in relation to Chl replacement.