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Ever since the discovery that Mn was required for oxygen evolution in plants by Pirson in 1937 and the period-four oscillation in flash-induced oxygen evolution by Joliot and Kok in the 1970s, understanding of this process has advanced enormously using state-of-the-art methods. The most recent in this series of innovative techniques was the introduction of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) a decade ago, which led to another quantum leap in the understanding in this field, by enabling operando X-ray structural and X-ray spectroscopy studies at room temperature. This review summarizes the current understanding of the structure of Photosystem II (PS II) and its catalytic centre, the Mn4 CaO5 complex, in the intermediate Si (i = 0-4)-states of the Kok cycle, obtained using XFELs.

Ever since the discovery that Mn was required for oxygen evolution in plants by Pirson in 1937 and the period-four oscillation in flash-induced oxygen evolution by Joliot and Kok in the 1970s, understanding of this process has advanced enormously using state-of-the-art methods. The most recent in this series of innovative techniques was the introduction of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) a decade ago, which led to another quantum leap in the understanding in this field, by enabling operando X-ray structural and X-ray spectroscopy studies at room temperature. This review summarizes the current understanding of the structure of Photosystem II (PS II) and its catalytic centre, the Mn4CaO5 complex, in the intermediate Si (i = 0–4)-states of the Kok cycle, obtained using XFELs., Special Issue: Visions of bio-inorganic chemistry: Metals and the molecules of life

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chloro­phyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to di­oxy­gen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O—O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chlorophyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to dioxygen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O-O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chloro­phyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to di­oxy­gen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O—O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

Ever since the discovery that Mn was required for oxygen evolution in plants by Pirson in 1937 and the period-four oscillation in flash-induced oxygen evolution by Joliot and Kok in the 1970s, understanding of this process has advanced enormously using state-of-the-art methods. The most recent in this series of innovative techniques was the introduction of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) a decade ago, which led to another quantum leap in the understanding in this field, by enabling operando X-ray structural and X-ray spectroscopy studies at room temperature. This review summarizes the current understanding of the structure of Photosystem II (PS II) and its catalytic centre, the Mn4CaO5 complex, in the intermediate Si (i = 0–4)-states of the Kok cycle, obtained using XFELs.

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chlorophyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to dioxygen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O-O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chlorophyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to dioxygen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O-O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

The water oxidation reaction in photosystem II (PS II) produces most of the molecular oxygen in the atmosphere, which sustains life on Earth, and in this process releases four electrons and four protons that drive the downstream process of CO2 fixation in the photosynthetic apparatus. The catalytic center of PS II is an oxygen-bridged Mn4Ca complex (Mn4CaO5) which is progressively oxidized upon the absorption of light by the chlorophyll of the PS II reaction center, and the accumulation of four oxidative equivalents in the catalytic center results in the oxidation of two waters to dioxygen in the last step. The recent emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with intense femtosecond X-ray pulses has opened up opportunities to visualize this reaction in PS II as it proceeds through the catalytic cycle. In this review, we summarize our recent studies of the catalytic reaction in PS II by following the structural changes along the reaction pathway via room-temperature X-ray crystallography using XFELs. The evolution of the electron density changes at the Mn complex reveals notable structural changes, including the insertion of OX from a new water molecule, which disappears on completion of the reaction, implicating it in the O-O bond formation reaction. We were also able to follow the structural dynamics of the protein coordinating with the catalytic complex and of channels within the protein that are important for substrate and product transport, revealing well orchestrated conformational changes in response to the electronic changes at the Mn4Ca cluster.

Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase (MCR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of methane in methanogenic archaea, using a catalytic Ni-centered Cofactor F430 in its active site. It also catalyzes the reverse reaction, that is, the anaerobic activation and oxidation, including the cleavage of the CH bond in methane. Because methanogenesis is the major source of methane on earth, understanding the reaction mechanism of this enzyme can have massive implications in global energy balances. While recent publications have proposed a radical-based catalytic mechanism as well as novel sulfonate-based binding modes of MCR for its native substrates, the structure of the active state of MCR, as well as a complete characterization of the reaction, remain elusive. Previous attempts to structurally characterize the active MCR-Ni(I) state have been unsuccessful due to oxidation of the redox- sensitive catalytic Ni center. Further, while many cryo structures of the inactive Ni(II)-enzyme in various substrates-bound forms have been published, no room temperature structures have been reported, and the structure and mechanism of MCR under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. In this study, we report the first room temperature structure of the MCRred1-silent Ni(II) form using an X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL), with simultaneous X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data collection. In celebration of the seminal contributions of inorganic chemist Dick Holm to our understanding of nickel-based catalysis, we are honored to announce our findings in this special issue dedicated to this remarkable pioneer of bioinorganic chemistry.

Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase (MCR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of methane in methanogenic archaea, using a catalytic Ni-centered Cofactor F430 in its active site. It also catalyzes the reverse reaction, that is, the anaerobic activation and oxidation, including the cleavage of the CH bond in methane. Because methanogenesis is the major source of methane on earth, understanding the reaction mechanism of this enzyme can have massive implications in global energy balances. While recent publications have proposed a radical-based catalytic mechanism as well as novel sulfonate-based binding modes of MCR for its native substrates, the structure of the active state of MCR, as well as a complete characterization of the reaction, remain elusive. Previous attempts to structurally characterize the active MCR-Ni(I) state have been unsuccessful due to oxidation of the redox- sensitive catalytic Ni center. Further, while many cryo structures of the inactive Ni(II)-enzyme in various substrates-bound forms have been published, no room temperature structures have been reported, and the structure and mechanism of MCR under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. In this study, we report the first room temperature structure of the MCRred1-silent Ni(II) form using an X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL), with simultaneous X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data collection. In celebration of the seminal contributions of inorganic chemist Dick Holm to our understanding of nickel-based catalysis, we are honored to announce our findings in this special issue dedicated to this remarkable pioneer of bioinorganic chemistry.

Quantifying charge delocalization associated with short-lived photoexcited states of molecular complexes in solution remains experimentally challenging, requiring local element specific femtosecond experimental probes of time-evolving electron transfer. In this study, we quantify the evolving valence hole charge distribution in the photoexcited charge transfer state of a prototypical mixed valence bimetallic iron-ruthenium complex, [(CN)5FeIICNRuIII(NH3)5]-, in water by combining femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy measurements with time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the excited-state dynamics. We estimate the valence hole charge that accumulated at the Fe atom to be 0.6 ± 0.2, resulting from excited-state metal-to-metal charge transfer, on an ∼60 fs time scale. Our combined experimental and computational approach provides a spectroscopic ruler for quantifying excited-state valency in solvated complexes.

Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase (MCR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of methane in methanogenic archaea, using a catalytic Ni-centered Cofactor F430 in its active site. It also catalyzes the reverse reaction, that is, the anaerobic activation and oxidation, including the cleavage of the C-H bond in methane. Because methanogenesis is the major source of methane on earth, understanding the reaction mechanism of this enzyme can have massive implications in global energy balances. While recent publications have proposed a radical-based catalytic mechanism as well as novel sulfonate-based binding modes of MCR for its native substrates, the structure of the active state of MCR, as well as a complete characterization of the reaction, remain elusive. Previous attempts to structurally characterize the active MCR-Ni(I) state have been unsuccessful due to oxidation of the redox- sensitive catalytic Ni center. Further, while many cryo structures of the inactive Ni(II)-enzyme in various substrates bound forms have been published, no room temperature structures have been reported, and the structure and mechanism of MCR under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. In this study, we report the first room temperature structure of the MCRred1-silent Ni(II) form using an X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL), with simultaneous X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data collection. In celebration of the seminal contributions of inorganic chemist Dick Holm to our understanding of nickel-based catalysis, we are honored to announce our findings in this special issue dedicated to this remarkable pioneer of bioinorganic chemistry., QC 20220627

We present a sub-picosecond resolved investigation of the structural solvent reorganization and geminate recombination dynamics following 400 nm two-photon excitation and photodetachment of a valence p electron from the aqueous atomic solute, I−(aq). The measurements utilized time-resolved X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (TR-XANES) spectroscopy and X-ray Solution Scattering (TR-XSS) at the Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray free electron laser in a laser pump/x-ray probe experiment. The XANES measurements around the L1-edge of the generated nascent iodine atoms (I0) yield an average electron ejection distance from the iodine parent of 7.4 ± 1.5 Å with an excitation yield of about 1/3 of the 0.1M NaI aqueous solution. The kinetic traces of the XANES measurement are in agreement with a purely diffusion-driven geminate iodine–electron recombination model without the need for a long-lived (I0:e−) contact pair. Nonequilibrium classical molecular dynamics simulations indicate a delayed response of the caging H2O solvent shell and this is supported by the structural analysis of the XSS data: We identify a two-step process exhibiting a 0.1 ps delayed solvent shell reorganization time within the tight H-bond network and a 0.3 ps time constant for the mean iodine–oxygen distance changes. The results indicate that most of the reorganization can be explained classically by a transition from a hydrophilic cavity with a well-ordered first solvation shell (hydrogens pointing toward I−) to an expanded cavity around I0 with a more random orientation of the H2O molecules in a broadened first solvation shell.

Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase (MCR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of methane in methanogenic archaea, using a catalytic Ni-centered Cofactor F430 in its active site. It also catalyzes the reverse reaction, that is, the anaerobic activation and oxidation, including the cleavage of the CH bond in methane. Because methanogenesis is the major source of methane on earth, understanding the reaction mechanism of this enzyme can have massive implications in global energy balances. While recent publications have proposed a radical-based catalytic mechanism as well as novel sulfonate-based binding modes of MCR for its native substrates, the structure of the active state of MCR, as well as a complete characterization of the reaction, remain elusive. Previous attempts to structurally characterize the active MCR-Ni(I) state have been unsuccessful due to oxidation of the redox- sensitive catalytic Ni center. Further, while many cryo structures of the inactive Ni(II)-enzyme in various substrates-bound forms have been published, no room temperature structures have been reported, and the structure and mechanism of MCR under physiologically relevant conditions is not known. In this study, we report the first room temperature structure of the MCRred1-silent Ni(II) form using an X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL), with simultaneous X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data collection. In celebration of the seminal contributions of inorganic chemist Dick Holm to our understanding of nickel-based catalysis, we are honored to announce our findings in this special issue dedicated to this remarkable pioneer of bioinorganic chemistry.

Quantifying charge delocalization associated with short-lived photoexcited states of molecular complexes in solution remains experimentally challenging, requiring local element specific femtosecond experimental probes of time-evolving electron transfer. In this study, we quantify the evolving valence hole charge distribution in the photoexcited charge transfer state of a prototypical mixed valence bimetallic iron-ruthenium complex, [(CN)5(FeIICNRuIII)(NH3)5]-, in water by combining femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy measurements with time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the excited-state dynamics. We estimate the valence hole charge that accumulated at the Fe atom to be 0.6 ± 0.2, resulting from excited-state metal-to-metal charge transfer, on an ∼60 fs time scale. Our combined experimental and computational approach provides a spectroscopic ruler for quantifying excited-state valency in solvated complexes.

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the unique reaction of l-δ-(α-aminoadipoyl)-l-cysteinyl-d-valine (ACV) with dioxygen giving isopenicillin N (IPN), the precursor of all natural penicillins and cephalosporins. X-ray free-electron laser studies including time-resolved crystallography and emission spectroscopy reveal how reaction of IPNS:Fe(II):ACV with dioxygen to yield an Fe(III) superoxide causes differences in active site volume and unexpected conformational changes that propagate to structurally remote regions. Combined with solution studies, the results reveal the importance of protein dynamics in regulating intermediate conformations during conversion of ACV to IPN. The results have implications for catalysis by multiple IPNS-related oxygenases, including those involved in the human hypoxic response, and highlight the power of serial femtosecond crystallography to provide insight into long-range enzyme dynamics during reactions presently impossible for nonprotein catalysts.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 angstrom structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S-2 to S-3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons. The oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to oxygen and it is still under debate how the water reaches the active site. Here, the authors analyse time-resolved XFEL-based crystal structures of PSII that were determined at room temperature and report the structures of the waters in the putative channels surrounding the active site at various time-points during the reaction cycle and conclude that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway and the Cl1 channel the likely proton release pathway.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 angstrom structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S-2 to S-3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons. The oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to oxygen and it is still under debate how the water reaches the active site. Here, the authors analyse time-resolved XFEL-based crystal structures of PSII that were determined at room temperature and report the structures of the waters in the putative channels surrounding the active site at various time-points during the reaction cycle and conclude that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway and the Cl1 channel the likely proton release pathway.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.& nbsp, QC 20211216

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 angstrom structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S-2 to S-3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons. The oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to oxygen and it is still under debate how the water reaches the active site. Here, the authors analyse time-resolved XFEL-based crystal structures of PSII that were determined at room temperature and report the structures of the waters in the putative channels surrounding the active site at various time-points during the reaction cycle and conclude that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway and the Cl1 channel the likely proton release pathway.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.

Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the unique reaction of L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) with dioxygen giving isopenicillin N (IPN), the precursor of all natural penicillins and cephalosporins. X-ray free-electron laser studies including time-resolved crystallography and emission spectroscopy reveal how reaction of IPNS:Fe(II):ACV with dioxygen to yield an Fe(III) superoxide causes differences in active site volume and unexpected conformational changes that propagate to structurally remote regions. Combined with solution studies, the results reveal the importance of protein dynamics in regulating intermediate conformations during conversion of ACV to IPN. The results have implications for catalysis by multiple IPNS-related oxygenases, including those involved in the human hypoxic response, and highlight the power of serial femtosecond crystallography to provide insight into long-range enzyme dynamics during reactions presently impossible for nonprotein catalysts.

X-ray absorption and X-ray free electron lasers are important tools to study chemical and structural dynamics, but spectral details like pre-edge features are inherently hard to detect. Here, the authors show that stochastic spectroscopy can yield similar spectral information to monochromatic spectroscopies, while increasing signal yield and reducing acquisition time. Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the unique reaction of L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) with dioxygen giving isopenicillin N (IPN), the precursor of all natural penicillins and cephalosporins. X-ray free-electron laser studies including time-resolved crystallography and emission spectroscopy reveal how reaction of IPNS:Fe(II):ACV with dioxygen to yield an Fe(III) superoxide causes differences in active site volume and unexpected conformational changes that propagate to structurally remote regions. Combined with solution studies, the results reveal the importance of protein dynamics in regulating intermediate conformations during conversion of ACV to IPN. The results have implications for catalysis by multiple IPNS-related oxygenases, including those involved in the human hypoxic response, and highlight the power of serial femtosecond crystallography to provide insight into long-range enzyme dynamics during reactions presently impossible for nonprotein catalysts.

X-ray absorption and X-ray free electron lasers are important tools to study chemical and structural dynamics, but spectral details like pre-edge features are inherently hard to detect. Here, the authors show that stochastic spectroscopy can yield similar spectral information to monochromatic spectroscopies, while increasing signal yield and reducing acquisition time. Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

X-ray absorption and X-ray free electron lasers are important tools to study chemical and structural dynamics, but spectral details like pre-edge features are inherently hard to detect. Here, the authors show that stochastic spectroscopy can yield similar spectral information to monochromatic spectroscopies, while increasing signal yield and reducing acquisition time. Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the unique reaction of L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) with dioxygen giving isopenicillin N (IPN), the precursor of all natural penicillins and cephalosporins. X-ray free-electron laser studies including time-resolved crystallography and emission spectroscopy reveal how reaction of IPNS:Fe(II):ACV with dioxygen to yield an Fe(III) superoxide causes differences in active site volume and unexpected conformational changes that propagate to structurally remote regions. Combined with solution studies, the results reveal the importance of protein dynamics in regulating intermediate conformations during conversion of ACV to IPN. The results have implications for catalysis by multiple IPNS-related oxygenases, including those involved in the human hypoxic response, and highlight the power of serial femtosecond crystallography to provide insight into long-range enzyme dynamics during reactions presently impossible for nonprotein catalysts.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 angstrom structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S-2 to S-3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons. The oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to oxygen and it is still under debate how the water reaches the active site. Here, the authors analyse time-resolved XFEL-based crystal structures of PSII that were determined at room temperature and report the structures of the waters in the putative channels surrounding the active site at various time-points during the reaction cycle and conclude that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway and the Cl1 channel the likely proton release pathway.

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the unique reaction of L-delta-(alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) with dioxygen giving isopenicillin N (IPN), the precursor of all natural penicillins and cephalosporins. X-ray free-electron laser studies including time-resolved crystallography and emission spectroscopy reveal how reaction of IPNS:Fe(II):ACV with dioxygen to yield an Fe(III) superoxide causes differences in active site volume and unexpected conformational changes that propagate to structurally remote regions. Combined with solution studies, the results reveal the importance of protein dynamics in regulating intermediate conformations during conversion of ACV to IPN. The results have implications for catalysis by multiple IPNS-related oxygenases, including those involved in the human hypoxic response, and highlight the power of serial femtosecond crystallography to provide insight into long-range enzyme dynamics during reactions presently impossible for nonprotein catalysts.

X-ray absorption and X-ray free electron lasers are important tools to study chemical and structural dynamics, but spectral details like pre-edge features are inherently hard to detect. Here, the authors show that stochastic spectroscopy can yield similar spectral information to monochromatic spectroscopies, while increasing signal yield and reducing acquisition time. Hard X-ray spectroscopy is an element specific probe of electronic state, but signals are weak and require intense light to study low concentration samples. Free electron laser facilities offer the highest intensity X-rays of any available light source. The light produced at such facilities is stochastic, with spikey, broadband spectra that change drastically from shot to shot. Here, using aqueous ferrocyanide, we show that the resonant X-ray emission (RXES) spectrum can be inferred by correlating for each shot the fluorescence intensity from the sample with spectra of the fluctuating, self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) source. We obtain resolved narrow and chemically rich information in core-to-valence transitions of the pre-edge region at the Fe K-edge. Our approach avoids monochromatization, provides higher photon flux to the sample, and allows non-resonant signals like elastic scattering to be simultaneously recorded. The spectra obtained match well with spectra measured using a monochromator. We also show that inaccurate measurements of the stochastic light spectra reduce the measurement efficiency of our approach.

It is well known that the solvent plays a critical role in ultrafast electron-transfer reactions. However, solvent reorganization occurs on multiple length scales, and selectively measuring short-range solute–solvent interactions at the atomic level with femtosecond time resolution remains a challenge. Here we report femtosecond X-ray scattering and emission measurements following photoinduced charge-transfer excitation in a mixed-valence bimetallic (FeiiRuiii) complex in water, and their interpretation using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Combined experimental and computational analysis reveals that the charge-transfer excited state has a lifetime of 62 fs and that coherent translational motions of the first solvation shell are coupled to the back electron transfer. Our molecular dynamics simulations identify that the observed coherent translational motions arise from hydrogen bonding changes between the solute and nearby water molecules upon photoexcitation, and have an amplitude of tenths of ångströms, 120–200 cm−1 frequency and ~100 fs relaxation time. This study provides an atomistic view of coherent solvent reorganization mediating ultrafast intramolecular electron transfer. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 Å structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S2 to S3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons.

In the last ten years, x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have been successfully employed to characterize metalloproteins at room temperature using various techniques including x-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy. The approach has been to outrun the radiation damage by using femtosecond (fs) x-ray pulses. An example of an important and damage sensitive active metal center is the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II (PS II), the catalytic site of photosynthetic water oxidation. The combination of serial femtosecond x-ray crystallography and K beta x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has proven to be a powerful multimodal approach for simultaneously probing the overall protein structure and the electronic state of the Mn4CaO5 cluster throughout the catalytic (Kok) cycle. As the observed spectral changes in the Mn4CaO5 cluster are very subtle, it is critical to consider the potential effects of the intense XFEL pulses on the K beta XES signal. We report here a systematic study of the effects of XFEL peak power, beam focus, and dose on the Mn K beta(1,3) XES spectra in PS II over a wide range of pulse parameters collected over seven different experimental runs using both microcrystal and solution PS II samples. Our findings show that for beam intensities ranging from & SIM;5 x 10(15) to 5 x 10(17) W/cm(2) at a pulse length of & SIM;35 fs, the spectral effects are small compared to those observed between S-states in the Kok cycle. Our results provide a benchmark for other XFEL-based XES studies on metalloproteins, confirming the viability of this approach.

Light-driven oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PS II). This multi-electron, multi-proton catalysis requires the transport of two water molecules to and four protons from the OEC. A high-resolution 1.89 angstrom structure obtained by averaging all the S states and refining the data of various time points during the S-2 to S-3 transition has provided better visualization of the potential pathways for substrate water insertion and proton release. Our results indicate that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway, and the Cl1 channel is the likely proton release pathway based on the structural rearrangements of water molecules and amino acid side chains along these channels. In particular in the Cl1 channel, we suggest that residue D1-E65 serves as a gate for proton transport by minimizing the back reaction. The results show that the water oxidation reaction at the OEC is well coordinated with the amino acid side chains and the H-bonding network over the entire length of the channels, which is essential in shuttling substrate waters and protons. The oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the light-driven oxidation of water to oxygen and it is still under debate how the water reaches the active site. Here, the authors analyse time-resolved XFEL-based crystal structures of PSII that were determined at room temperature and report the structures of the waters in the putative channels surrounding the active site at various time-points during the reaction cycle and conclude that the O1 channel is the likely water intake pathway and the Cl1 channel the likely proton release pathway.