Ancient Cyanobacteria Reveal Early Blueprint of Oxygenic Photosynthesis.

An international team of researchers has unveiled a significant discovery in understanding the origins of oxygenic photosynthesis—the process by which organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. By studying Anthocerotibacter panamensis, a newly identified species of cyanobacteria, scientists have gained valuable insights into the early mechanisms that enabled life to utilize sunlight for energy production.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study focuses on Photosystem I (PSI), a crucial protein complex in the photosynthetic process. Researchers, including Dr. Tanai Cardona from Queen Mary University of London, isolated PSI from A. panamensis, a species that diverged from other cyanobacteria approximately 3 billion years ago. This ancient lineage provides a unique window into the early evolution of photosynthetic systems.

Unlike most cyanobacteria, which contain thylakoids—membrane-bound structures where photosynthesis occurs—A. panamensis lacks these compartments. Instead, its photosynthetic machinery is confined to a single membrane layer, limiting its efficiency and resulting in slower growth under laboratory conditions. Despite this simplicity, the architecture of its PSI remains remarkably conserved. The complex forms a trimeric structure, resembling a three-leaf clover, and houses over 300 light-absorbing pigments, including chlorophylls and carotenoids.

Dr. Ming-Yang Ho of National Taiwan University, the study's lead author, emphasized the significance of this finding: "We cannot travel back 3 billion years to observe the cyanobacteria on Earth. That is why the early-branched A. panamensis is so crucial; it lets us glimpse what occurred in the past."

The research suggests that the fundamental components of oxygenic photosynthesis were established much earlier than previously thought. Dr. Cardona noted, "Even 3 billion years ago, photosynthesis appears to have reached a remarkable degree of sophistication. To find the true origin of oxygen-producing photosynthesis, we'll have to look even further back—before cyanobacteria themselves evolved."

This discovery not only sheds light on the evolutionary history of photosynthesis but also provides a foundation for future studies exploring the development of life on Earth.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-electricity-nanodevice-cyanobacteria-reveals-early.html

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