Cell specialization in cyanobacterial biofilm development revealed by expression of a cell-surface and extracellular matrix protein.

Cyanobacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and play important roles in diverse environments, yet, understanding of the processes underlying the development of these aggregates is just emerging. Here we report cell specialization in formation of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 biofilms-a hitherto unknown characteristic of cyanobacterial social behavior. We show that only a quarter of the cell population expresses at high levels the four-gene ebfG-operon that is required for biofilm formation. Almost all cells, however, are assembled in the biofilm. Detailed characterization of EbfG4 encoded by this operon revealed cell-surface localization as well as its presence in the biofilm matrix. Moreover, EbfG1-3 were shown to form amyloid structures such as fibrils and are thus likely to contribute to the matrix structure. These data suggest a beneficial 'division of labor' during biofilm formation where only some of the cells allocate resources to produce matrix proteins-'public goods' that support robust biofilm development by the majority of the cells. In addition, previous studies revealed the operation of a self-suppression mechanism that depends on an extracellular inhibitor, which supresses transcription of the ebfG-operon. Here we revealed inhibitor activity at an early growth stage and its gradual accumulation along the exponential growth phase in correlation with cell density. Data, however, do not support a threshold-like phenomenon known for quorum-sensing in heterotrophs. Together, data presented here demonstrate cell specialization and imply density-dependent regulation thereby providing deep insights into cyanobacterial communal behavior.

Transcriptomic and Phenomic Investigations Reveal Elements in Biofilm Repression and Formation in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942.

Biofilm formation by photosynthetic organisms is a complex behavior that serves multiple functions in the environment. Biofilm formation in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 is regulated in part by a set of small secreted proteins that promotes biofilm formation and a self-suppression mechanism that prevents their expression. Little is known about the regulatory and structural components of the biofilms in PCC 7942, or response to the suppressor signal(s). We performed transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) and phenomics (RB-TnSeq) screens that identified four genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation, more than 25 additional candidates that may impact biofilm formation, and revealed the transcriptomic adaptation to the biofilm state. In so doing, we compared the effectiveness of these two approaches for gene discovery.

Impairment of a cyanobacterial glycosyltransferase that modifies a pilin results in biofilm development.

A biofilm inhibiting mechanism operates in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus. Here, we demonstrate that the glycosyltransferase homologue, Ogt, participates in the inhibitory process - inactivation of ogt results in robust biofilm formation. Furthermore, a mutational approach shows requirement of the glycosyltransferase activity for biofilm inhibition. This enzyme is necessary for glycosylation of the pilus subunit and for adequate pilus formation. In contrast to wild-type culture in which most cells exhibit several pili, only 25% of the mutant cells are piliated, half of which possess a single pilus. In spite of this poor piliation, natural DNA competence was similar to that of wild-type; therefore, we propose that the unglycosylated pili facilitate DNA transformation. Additionally, conditioned medium from wild-type culture, which contains a biofilm inhibiting substance(s), only partially blocks biofilm development by the ogt-mutant. Thus, we suggest that inactivation of ogt affects multiple processes including production or secretion of the inhibitor as well as the ability to sense or respond to it.

A Cyanobacterial Component Required for Pilus Biogenesis Affects the Exoproteome.

Protein secretion as well as the assembly of bacterial motility appendages are central processes that substantially contribute to fitness and survival. This study highlights distinctive features of the mechanism that serves these functions in cyanobacteria, which are globally prevalent photosynthetic prokaryotes that significantly contribute to primary production. Our studies of biofilm development in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus uncovered a novel component required for the biofilm self-suppression mechanism that operates in this organism. This protein, which is annotated as "hypothetical," is denoted EbsA (essential for biofilm self-suppression A) here. EbsA homologs are highly conserved and widespread in diverse cyanobacteria but are not found outside this clade. We revealed a tripartite complex of EbsA, Hfq, and the ATPase homolog PilB (formerly called T2SE) and demonstrated that each of these components is required for the assembly of the hairlike type IV pili (T4P) appendages, for DNA competence, and affects the exoproteome in addition to its role in biofilm self-suppression. These data are consistent with bioinformatics analyses that reveal only a single set of genes in S. elongatus to serve pilus assembly or protein secretion; we suggest that a single complex is involved in both processes. A phenotype resulting from the impairment of the EbsA homolog in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 implies that this feature is a general cyanobacterial trait. Moreover, comparative exoproteome analyses of wild-type and mutant strains of S. elongatus suggest that EbsA and Hfq affect the exoproteome via a process that is independent of PilB, in addition to their involvement in a T4P/secretion machinery.IMPORTANCE Cyanobacteria, environmentally prevalent photosynthetic prokaryotes, contribute ∼25% of global primary production. Cyanobacterial biofilms elicit biofouling, thus leading to substantial economic losses; however, these microbial assemblages can also be beneficial, e.g., in wastewater purification processes and for biofuel production. Mechanistic aspects of cyanobacterial biofilm development were long overlooked, and genetic and molecular information emerged only in recent years. The importance of this study is 2-fold. First, it identifies novel components of cyanobacterial biofilm regulation, thus contributing to the knowledge of these processes and paving the way for inhibiting detrimental biofilms or promoting beneficial ones. Second, the data suggest that cyanobacteria may employ the same complex for the assembly of the motility appendages, type 4 pili, and protein secretion. A shared pathway was previously shown in only a few cases of heterotrophic bacteria, whereas numerous studies demonstrated distinct systems for these functions. Thus, our study broadens the understanding of pilus assembly/secretion in diverse bacteria and furthers the aim of controlling the formation of cyanobacterial biofilms.

Solution NMR structure of Se0862, a highly conserved cyanobacterial protein involved in biofilm formation.

Biofilms are accumulations of microorganisms embedded in extracellular matrices that protect against external factors and stressful environments. Cyanobacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and have potential for treatment of wastewater and sustainable production of biofuels. But the underlying mechanisms regulating cyanobacterial biofilm formation are unclear. Here, we report the solution NMR structure of a protein, Se0862, conserved across diverse cyanobacterial species and involved in regulation of biofilm formation in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Se0862 is a class α+ß protein with ααßßßßαα topology and roll architecture, consisting of a four-stranded ß-sheet that is flanked by four α-helices on one side. Conserved surface residues constitute a hydrophobic pocket and charged regions that are likely also present in Se0862 orthologs.

An uncultured marine cyanophage encodes an active phycobilisome proteolysis adaptor protein NblA.

Phycobilisomes (PBS) are large water-soluble membrane-associated complexes in cyanobacteria and some chloroplasts that serve as light-harvesting antennae for the photosynthetic apparatus. When deplete of nitrogen or sulphur, cyanobacteria readily degrade their phycobilisomes allowing the cell to replenish these vanishing nutrients. The key regulator in the degradation process is NblA, a small protein (∼6 kDa), which recruits proteases to the PBS. It was discovered previously that not only do cyanobacteria possess nblA genes but also that they are encoded by genomes of some freshwater cyanophages. A recent study, using assemblies from oceanic metagenomes, revealed genomes of a novel uncultured marine cyanophage lineage, representatives of which contain genes coding for the PBS degradation protein. Here, we examined the functionality of nblA-like genes from these marine cyanophages by testing them in a freshwater model cyanobacterial nblA knockout. One of the viral NblA variants could complement the non-bleaching phenotype and restore PBS degradation. Our findings reveal a functional NblA from a novel marine cyanophage lineage. Furthermore, we shed new light on the distribution of nblA genes in cyanobacteria and cyanophages.

A microcin processing peptidase-like protein of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is essential for secretion of biofilm-promoting proteins.

Small secreted compounds, e.g. microcins, are characterized by a double-glycine (GG) secretion motif that is cleaved off upon maturation. Genomic analysis suggests that small proteins that possess a GG motif are widespread in cyanobacteria; however, the roles of these proteins are largely unknown. Using a biofilm-proficient mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in which the constitutive biofilm self-suppression mechanism is inactivated, we previously demonstrated that four small proteins, Enable biofilm formation with a GG motif (EbfG1-4), each with a GG motif, enable biofilm formation. Furthermore, a peptidase belonging to the C39 family, Peptidase transporter enabling Biofilm (PteB), is required for secretion of these proteins. Here, we show that the microcin processing peptidase-like protein encoded by gene Synpcc7942_1127 is also required for biofilm development - inactivation of this gene in the biofilm-proficient mutant abrogates biofilm development. Additionally, this peptidase-like protein (denoted EbfE - enables biofilm formation peptidase) is required for secretion of the EbfG biofilm-promoting small proteins. Given their protein-domain characteristics, we suggest that PteB and EbfE take part in a maturation-secretion system, with PteB being located to the cell membrane while EbfE is directed to the periplasmic space via its secretion signal.

Nitrogen chlorosis in unicellular cyanobacteria - a developmental program for surviving nitrogen deprivation.

Cyanobacteria evolved sophisticated mechanisms allowing them to cope with environmental depletion of combined nitrogen. Here, we describe progress in understanding the processes involved in acclimation of nondiazotrophic cyanobacteria to nitrogen shortage, known as nitrogen chlorosis. The process includes immediate metabolic changes and degradation of light harvesting complexes as well as long-term acclimation responses. Consequently, quiescent cells substantially differing from vegetative cells are obtained. Thus, the process leading to these considerable metabolic and morphological changes is referred to as a developmental program. Current understanding of the relevant regulatory processes depicts an intricate mechanism involving modulation of transcription activators by proteinaceous interacting components, as well as by small metabolites reporting the energy status and carbon-nitrogen balance of the cell. In addition, we describe in detail the quiescent state characterizing cells under prolonged starvation and the process of recovery from this dormant chlorotic state. Accumulated data provide an in depth understanding of the mechanisms accompanying the cycling of cyanobacterial cells between vegetative growth, the quiescent-state and the recovery program, allowing them to regain proliferative growth upon nutrient replenishment.

Decomposition of cyanobacterial light harvesting complexes: NblA-dependent role of the bilin lyase homolog NblB.

Phycobilisomes, the macromolecular light harvesting complexes of cyanobacteria are degraded under nutrient-limiting conditions. This crucial response is required to adjust light excitation to the metabolic status and avoid damage by excess excitation. Phycobilisomes are comprised of phycobiliproteins, apo-proteins that covalently bind bilin chromophores. In the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, the phycobiliproteins allophycocyanin and phycocyanin comprise the core and the rods of the phycobilisome, respectively. Previously, NblB was identified as an essential component required for phycocyanin degradation under nutrient starvation. This protein is homologous to bilin-lyases, enzymes that catalyze the covalent attachment of bilins to apo-proteins. However, the nblB-inactivated strain is not impaired in phycobiliprotein synthesis, but rather is characterized by aberrant phycocyanin degradation. Here, using a phycocyanin-deficient strain, we demonstrate that NblB is required for degradation of the core pigment, allophycocyanin. Furthermore, we show that the protein NblB is expressed under nutrient sufficient conditions, but during nitrogen starvation its level decreases about two-fold. This finding is in contrast to an additional component essential for degradation, NblA, the expression of which is highly induced under starvation. We further identified NblB residues required for phycocyanin degradation in vivo. Finally, we demonstrate phycocyanin degradation in a cell-free system, thereby providing support for the suggestion that NblB directly mediates pigment degradation by chromophore detachment. The dependence of NblB function on NblA revealed using this system, together with the results indicating presence of NblB under nutrient sufficient conditions, suggests a rapid mechanism for induction of pigment degradation, which requires only the expression of NblA.

Type 4 pili are dispensable for biofilm development in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus.

The hair-like cell appendages denoted as type IV pili are crucial for biofilm formation in diverse eubacteria. The protein complex responsible for type IV pilus assembly is homologous with the type II protein secretion complex. In the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, the gene Synpcc7942_2071 encodes an ATPase homologue of type II/type IV systems. Here, we report that inactivation of Synpcc7942_2071 strongly affected the suite of proteins present in the extracellular milieu (exo-proteome) and eliminated pili observable by electron microscopy. These results support a role for this gene product in protein secretion as well as in pili formation. As we previously reported, inactivation of Synpcc7942_2071 enables biofilm formation and suppresses the planktonic growth of S. elongatus. Thus, pili are dispensable for biofilm development in this cyanobacterium, in contrast to their biofilm-promoting function in type IV pili-producing heterotrophic bacteria. Nevertheless, pili removal is not required for biofilm formation as evident by a piliated mutant of S. elongatus that develops biofilms. We show that adhesion and timing of biofilm development differ between the piliated and non-piliated strains. The study demonstrates key differences in the process of biofilm formation between cyanobacteria and well-studied type IV pili-producing heterotrophic bacteria.

Expanding the Genetic Code of a Photoautotrophic Organism.

The photoautotrophic freshwater cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is widely used as a chassis for biotechnological applications as well as a photosynthetic bacterial model. In this study, a method for expanding the genetic code of this cyanobacterium has been established, thereby allowing the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins. This was achieved through UAG stop codon suppression, using an archaeal pyrrolysyl orthogonal translation system. We demonstrate incorporation of unnatural amino acids into green fluorescent protein with 20 ± 3.5% suppression efficiency. The introduced components were shown to be orthogonal to the host translational machinery. In addition, we observed that no significant growth impairment resulted from the integration of the system. To interpret the observations, we modeled and investigated the competition over the UAG codon between release factor 1 and pyl-tRNACUA. On the basis of the model results, and the fact that 39.6% of the stop codons in the S. elongatus genome are UAG stop codons, the suppression efficiency in S. elongatus is unexpectedly high. The reason for this unexpected suppression efficiency has yet to be determined.

Quantification of Chlorophyll as a Proxy for Biofilm Formation in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus.

A self-suppression mechanism of biofilm development in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 was recently reported. These studies required quantification of biofilms formed by mutants impaired in the biofilm-inhibitory process. Here we describe in detail the use of chlorophyll measurements as a proxy for biomass accumulation in sessile and planktonic cells of biofilm-forming strains. These measurements allow quantification of the total biomass as estimated by chlorophyll level and representation of the extent of biofilm formation by depicting the relative fraction of chlorophyll in planktonic cells.

Small secreted proteins enable biofilm development in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus.

Small proteins characterized by a double-glycine (GG) secretion motif, typical of secreted bacterial antibiotics, are encoded by the genomes of diverse cyanobacteria, but their functions have not been investigated to date. Using a biofilm-forming mutant of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and a mutational approach, we demonstrate the involvement of four small secreted proteins and their GG-secretion motifs in biofilm development. These proteins are denoted EbfG1-4 (enable biofilm formation with a GG-motif). Furthermore, the conserved cysteine of the peptidase domain of the Synpcc7942_1133 gene product (dubbed PteB for peptidase transporter essential for biofilm) is crucial for biofilm development and is required for efficient secretion of the GG-motif containing proteins. Transcriptional profiling of ebfG1-4 indicated elevated transcript levels in the biofilm-forming mutant compared to wild type (WT). However, these transcripts decreased, acutely but transiently, when the mutant was cultured in extracellular fluids from a WT culture, and biofilm formation was inhibited. We propose that WT cells secrete inhibitor(s) that suppress transcription of ebfG1-4, whereas secretion of the inhibitor(s) is impaired in the biofilm-forming mutant, leading to synthesis and secretion of EbfG1-4 and supporting the formation of biofilms.

The proteolysis adaptor, NblA, is essential for degradation of the core pigment of the cyanobacterial light-harvesting complex.

The cyanobacterial light-harvesting complex, the phycobilisome, is degraded under nutrient limitation, allowing the cell to adjust light absorbance to its metabolic capacity. This large light-harvesting antenna comprises a core complex of the pigment allophycocyanin, and rod-shaped pigment assemblies emanating from the core. NblA, a low-molecular-weight protein, is essential for degradation of the phycobilisome. NblA mutants exhibit high absorbance of rod pigments under conditions that generally elicit phycobilisome degradation, implicating NblA in degradation of these pigments. However, the vast abundance of rod pigments and the substantial overlap between the absorbance spectra of rod and core pigments has made it difficult to directly associate NblA with proteolysis of the phycobilisome core. Furthermore, lack of allophycocyanin degradation in an NblA mutant may reflect a requirement for rod degradation preceding core degradation, and does not prove direct involvement of NblA in proteolysis of the core pigment. Therefore, in this study, we used a mutant lacking phycocyanin, the rod pigment of Synechococcus elongatusPCC7942, to examine whether NblA is required for allophycocyanin degradation. We demonstrate that NblA is essential for degradation of the core complex of the phycobilisome. Furthermore, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy provided in situ evidence for the interaction of NblA with allophycocyanin, and indicated that NblA interacts with allophycocyanin complexes that are associated with the photosynthetic membranes. Based on these data, as well as previous observations indicating interaction of NblA with phycobilisomes attached to the photosynthetic membranes, we suggest a model for sequential phycobilisome disassembly by NblA.

To be or not to be planktonic? Self-inhibition of biofilm development.

The transition between planktonic growth and biofilm formation represents a tightly regulated developmental shift that has substantial impact on cell fate. Here, we highlight different mechanisms through which bacteria limit their own biofilm development. The mechanisms involved in these self-inhibition processes include: (i) regulation by secreted small molecules, which govern intricate signalling cascades that eventually decrease biofilm development, (ii) extracellular polysaccharides capable of modifying the physicochemical properties of the substratum and (iii) extracellular DNA that masks an adhesive structure. These mechanisms, which rely on substances produced by the bacterium and released into the extracellular milieu, suggest regulation at the communal level. In addition, we provide specific examples of environmental cues (e.g. blue light or glucose level) that trigger a cellular response reducing biofilm development. All together, we describe a diverse array of mechanisms underlying self-inhibition of biofilm development in different bacteria and discuss possible advantages of these processes.

Collapsing aged culture of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus produces compound(s) toxic to photosynthetic organisms.

Phytoplankton mortality allows effective nutrient cycling, and thus plays a pivotal role in driving biogeochemical cycles. A growing body of literature demonstrates the involvement of regulated death programs in the abrupt collapse of phytoplankton populations, and particularly implicates processes that exhibit characteristics of metazoan programmed cell death. Here, we report that the cell-free, extracellular fluid (conditioned medium) of a collapsing aged culture of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus is toxic to exponentially growing cells of this cyanobacterium, as well as to a large variety of photosynthetic organisms, but not to eubacteria. The toxic effect, which is light-dependent, involves oxidative stress, as suggested by damage alleviation by antioxidants, and the very high sensitivity of a catalase-mutant to the conditioned medium. At relatively high cell densities, S. elongatus cells survived the deleterious effect of conditioned medium in a process that required de novo protein synthesis. Application of conditioned medium from a collapsing culture caused severe pigment bleaching not only in S. elongatus cells, but also resulted in bleaching of pigments in a cell free extract. The latter observation indicates that the elicited damage is a direct effect that does not require an intact cell, and therefore, is mechanistically different from the metazoan-like programmed cell death described for phytoplankton. We suggest that S. elongatus in aged cultures are triggered to produce a toxic compound, and thus, this process may be envisaged as a novel regulated death program.

The proteolysis adaptor, NblA, initiates protein pigment degradation by interacting with the cyanobacterial light-harvesting complexes.

Degradation of the cyanobacterial protein pigment complexes, the phycobilisomes, is a central acclimation response that controls light energy capture. The small protein, NblA, is essential for proteolysis of these large complexes, which may reach a molecular mass of up to 4 MDa. Interactions of NblA in vitro supported the suggestion that NblA is a proteolysis adaptor that labels the pigment proteins for degradation. The mode of operation of NblA in situ, however, remained unresolved. Particularly, it was unclear whether NblA interacts with phycobilisome proteins while part of the large complex, or alternatively interaction with NblA, necessitates dissociation of pigment subunits from the assembly. Fluorescence intensity profiles demonstrated the preferential presence of NblA::GFP (green fluorescent protein) at the photosynthetic membranes, indicating co-localization with phycobilisomes. Furthermore, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy provided in situ evidence for interaction of NblA with phycobilisome protein pigments. Additionally, we demonstrated the role of NblA in vivo as a proteolysis tag based on the rapid degradation of the fusion protein NblA::GFP compared with free GFP. Taken together, these observations demonstrated in vivo the role of NblA as a proteolysis adaptor. Additionally, the interaction of NblA with phycobilisomes indicates that the dissociation of protein pigment subunits from the large complex is not a prerequisite for interaction with this adaptor and, furthermore, implicates NblA in the disassembly of the protein pigment complex. Thus, we suggest that, in the case of proteolysis of the phycobilisome, the adaptor serves a dual function: undermining the complex stability and designating the dissociated pigments for degradation.

Self-suppression of biofilm formation in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus.

Biofilms are consortia of bacteria that are held together by an extracellular matrix. Cyanobacterial biofilms, which are highly ubiquitous and inhabit diverse niches, are often associated with biological fouling and cause severe economic loss. Information on the molecular mechanisms underlying biofilm formation in cyanobacteria is scarce. We identified a mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, which unlike the wild type, developed biofilms. This biofilm-forming phenotype is caused by inactivation of homologues of type II secretion /type IV pilus assembly systems and is associated with impairment of protein secretion. The conditioned medium from a wild-type culture represses biofilm formation by the secretion-mutants. This suggested that the planktonic nature of the wild-type strain is a result of a self-suppression mechanism, which depends on the deposition of a factor to the extracellular milieu. We also identified two genes that are essential for biofilm formation. Transcript levels of these genes are elevated in the mutant compared with the wild type, and are initially decreased in mutant cells cultured in conditioned medium of wild-type cells. The particular niche conditions will determine whether the inhibitor will accumulate to effective levels and thus the described mechanism allows switching to a sessile mode of existence.

Nutrient-associated elongation and asymmetric division of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942.

While tightly regulated, bacterial cell morphology may change substantially in response to environmental cues. Here we describe such changes in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC7942. Once maintained in stationary phase, these rod-shaped organisms stop dividing and elongate up to 50-fold. Increase in cell length of a thymidine-auxotroph strain upon thymidine starvation implies that inhibition of DNA replication underlies cell elongation. Elongation occurs under conditions of limiting phosphorus but sufficient nitrogen levels. Once proliferative conditions are restored, elongated cells divide asymmetrically instead of exhibiting the typical fission characterized by mid-cell constriction. The progeny are of length characteristic of exponentially growing cells and are proficient of further proliferation. We propose that the ability to elongate under conditions of cytokinesis arrest together with the rapid induction of cell division upon nutrient repletion represents a beneficial cellular mechanism operating under specific nutritional conditions.

The role of the PsbU subunit in the light sensitivity of PSII in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 7942.

In the present study we investigated the role of the PsbU subunit in the electron transport characteristics and light sensitivity of the Photosystem II complex. The experiments were performed by using an earlier characterized PsbU-less mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942, which has enhanced antioxidant capacity (Balint et al. FEBS Lett. 580 (2006) 2117-2122). Flash induced Chl fluorescence measurements in the presence and absence of the electron transport inhibitor DCMU showed that both the S(2)Q(A)(-) and the S(2)Q(B)(-) recombination is slowed down in the PsbU mutant relative to the WT strain. Thermoluminescence measurements confirmed the increased stability of the S(2)Q(A)(-) and S(2)Q(B)(-) charge pairs by showing an increased peak temperature of Q and B bands, which were measured in the presence and absence of DCMU, respectively. In addition, the intensity of the TL bands is also increased in the PsbU mutant (≈1.7 times for the B band), as compared to the WT. The PsbU mutant shows enhanced loss of Photosystem II activity under exposure to high light intensity both in the absence and presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor lincomycin. It is concluded from the data that the lack of the PsbU subunit in Synechococcus PCC 7942 affects the energetic stability of the S(2)Q(A)(-) and S(2)Q(B)(-) charge pairs by modifying both the PSII donor and acceptor side components. This effect is most likely caused by structural changes in the vicinity of the Mn cluster and in the inner part of the PSII complex, which are induced by the lack of the PsbU subunit from the lumenal part of the complex. The light sensitivity of Photosystem II in Synechococcus 7942 in the absence of the PsbU subunit is likely due to reactive oxygen species, which are produced as a consequence of disturbed donor side structure and/or due to the modified energetic properties of the primary radical pair.