A two-dimensional many-body system with competing interactions as a model for segregation of photosystems in thylakoids of green plants

• We address the segregation of photosystems I (PSI) and II (PSII) in thylakoid membranes by means of a molecular dynamics method. We assume a two-dimensional (in-plane) problem with PSI and PSII being represented by particles with different values of negative charge. The pair interactions between particles include a screened Coulomb repulsive part and am exponentially decaying attractive part. Our modeling results suggest that the system may have a complicated phase behavior, including a quasi-crystalline phase at low ionic screenmg, a disordered phase and: in addition, a possible "clotting" agglomerate phase at high screening where the photosystems tend to clot together. The relevance of the observed phenomena to the stacking of thylakoid membranes is discussed.

Nyckelord

lipid-protein interactions

photosystem I

photosystem II

thylakoid membranes

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