Phycobiliproteins are water-soluble proteins present in cyanobacteria and certain algae (rhodophytes, cryptomonads, glaucocystophytes) that capture light energy which is then passed on to chlorophylls during photosynthesis. Phycobiliproteins are formed of a complex between proteins and covalently bound phycobilins that act as chromophores (the light-capturing part). They are most important constituents of the phycobilisomes. A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Orders The taxonomy of the Cyanobacteria is currently under revision. ... Typical genera Campylomonas Chilomonas Chroomonas Cryptomonas Falcomonas Geminigera Goniomonas Guillardia Hemiselmis Plagioselmis Proteomonas Storeatula Rhodomonas Teleaulax The cryptomonads are a small group of flagellates, most of which have chloroplasts. ... Chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. ... The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants. ... Covalent bonding is a form of chemical bonding characterized by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between atoms, in order to produce a mutual attraction, which holds the resultant molecule together. ... Phycobilins are the chromophores of phycobiliproteins (photosynthetic pigments) found in cyanobacteria and in the chloroplasts of red algae, glaucophytes and some cryptomonads (though not in green algae and higher plants). ... Chromophore is a term that describes the moiety of a molecule responsible for its color. ... A computer generated 3D view of a phycobilisome showing Phycoerythrin subunits in red, Phycocyanin subunits in dark blue and Allophycocyanin subunits in light blue. ...
The phycobiliproteins are 'antenna' pigments used by some classes of plants to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis by collecting light energy at wavelengths over which chlorophyll absorbs poorly.
This arrangement of phycobiliprotein antenna pigments and chlorophyll is found in the phycobilisomes and allows light energy across much of the visible spectrum to be used for photosynthesis.
Phycobiliproteins are relatively large, and contain multiple chromophore prosthetic groups, which are responsible for the fluorescent properties of these proteins, and generally result in fluorochromes of very high efficiency, commonly in excess of 90% absorbed light energy transferred to chlorophyll.
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