Red antenna states of Photosystem I trimers from Arthrospira platensis revealed by single-molecule spectroscopy

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy at 1.4 K was used to investigate the spectral properties of red (long-wavelength) chlorophylls in trimeric Photosystem I (PSI) complexes from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis . Three distinct red antenna states could be identified in the fluorescence spectra of single PSI trimers from A. platensis in the presence of oxidized P700. Two of them are responsible for broad emission bands centered at 726 and 760 nm. These bands are similar to those found in bulk fluorescence spectra measured at cryogenic temperatures. The broad fluorescence bands at ≅ 726 and ≅ 760 nm belong to individual emitters that are broadened by strong electron–phonon coupling giving rise to a large Stokes-shift of about 20 nm and rapid spectral diffusion. An almost perpendicular orientation of the transition dipole moments of F726 and F760 has to be assumed because direct excitation energy transfer does not occur between F726 and F760. For the first time a third red state assigned to the pool absorbing around 708 nm could be detected by its zero-phonon lines. The center of the zero-phonon line distribution is found at ≅ 714 nm. The spectral properties of the three red antenna states show a high similarity to the red antenna states found in trimeric PSI of Thermosynechoccocus elongatus . Based on these findings a similar organization of the red antenna states in PSI of these two cyanobacteria is discussed.