Electron Transport Reactions of Cyanobacterial Photosynthesis and state-of-the-art in vivo measurement techniques - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Electron Transport Reactions of Cyanobacterial Photosynthesis and state-of-the-art in vivo measurement techniques;

Authors: Wey, Laura T; Bos, Peter R; Crosbie, Michaela; Ortega Martinez, Pablo; Tiwari, Arjun; Nikkanen, Lauri

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication year: 2026

Journal: Plant Physiology

Article number: kiag107

Volume: 201

Issue: 3

ISSN: 0032-0889

eISSN: 1532-2548

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag107

Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access

Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag107

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515683174

Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY

Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF

Abstract

Cyanobacteria perform oxygenic photosynthesis using an integrated network of photosynthetic, respiratory, and auxiliary electron transport pathways embedded within the thylakoid membrane. Understanding how electrons are dynamically distributed among these interacting processes and how these flows are regulated under fluctuating environmental conditions requires approaches that can probe electron transport in vivo. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of linear, cyclic, auxiliary, respiratory and extracellular electron transport in model cyanobacteria and highlight recent insights into the mechanisms that maintain redox balance and protect the photosynthetic apparatus. We critically assess state-of-the-art techniques used to quantify electron transport in vivo, including chlorophyll fluorescence, microscopy, membrane inlet mass spectrometry, differential absorbance spectroscopy, electrochromic shift measurements, photoelectrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, to address the major outstanding questions in regulation of photosynthesis, we recommend integration of techniques for simultaneous measurement of multiple processes and identify a need for non-invasive probes and modelling to achieve a systems-level understanding of cyanobacterial bioenergetics. Further study of non-model species is also needed to understand the diversity of cyanobacterial photosynthesis.

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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (PHOTOCHAN NNF24OC0095370 to LN and Photo-e-microbes NNF22OC0079717 to LTW) and the Research Council of Finland (CyanoChan 354876 to LN and CyanoSWITCH 368729 to LTW).