A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Expansion microscopy visualizes the photosystem distribution in Synechocystis cells;




AuthorsBos, Peter R.; Langlois-Legrand, Elio; Wientjes, Emilie

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2026

Journal: BBA - Bioenergetics

Article number149594

Volume1867

Issue4

ISSN0005-2728

eISSN1879-2650

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbabio.2026.149594

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbabio.2026.149594

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/526476050

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Photosynthesis in cyanobacteria relies on light capture by photosystem I (PSI), photosystem II (PSII) and the phycobilisome (PBS). Although these complexes are generally considered to be intermixed within the thylakoid membrane, several studies have suggested the presence of PSI- or PSII/PBS-enriched microdomains that may depend on environmental conditions. Here we applied cryo-Expansion Microscopy (cryo-ExM) to dark-adapted Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells and achieved nanoscale resolution of thylakoid compartments and associated protein complexes. Cells were cryofixed, rehydrated at room temperature and physically expanded in a swellable hydrogel. By expanding cells 5.5-fold, we resolved individual thylakoid compartments in intact cells using confocal microscopy. Furthermore, immunolabeling allowed simultaneous localization of PSI, PSII and PBS within the expanded thylakoid network. Overall PSI, PSII, and PBS signals showed similar spatial distributions. However, PBS was excluded from the neck region between dividing cells, while PSI and PSII were present. These results establish cryo-ExM as a powerful method for visualizing cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes and mapping the distribution of key photosynthetic complexes, thereby complementing existing approaches for dissecting the spatial organization of photosynthesis.



Keywords:
Expansion-microscopyThylakoid organization

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Funding information in the publication
This work was supported by the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) via a Vidi grant (VI. Vidi 192.042 to E.W.).


Last updated on 10/06/2026 10:18:49 AM