Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) is the most abundant photosynthetic membrane pigment-protein complex in higher plants, enabling extremely efficient solar energy harvesting. Their light-harvesting function is finely controlled by processes that switch the complexes into a photoprotective state. LHCII aggregates, that feature strong quenching of excitation light, are often believed to be...
Bulk spectroscopic measurements of photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes report ensemble-averaged properties that often obscure the heterogeneity and dynamic behaviour present at the level of individual complexes. Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy provides access to this hidden complexity through measurements of fluorescence intensity and lifetime; however, interpreting raw...
Of the five malaria-causing species, Plasmodium falciparum accounts for most malaria-related deaths. Central to the survival and infectivity of the parasite is rapid replication coupled to upregulated protein production. Thus, the development of this malaria parasite is supported by the role of several heat shock proteins (Hsps), which facilitate protein folding. P. falciparum Hsp70-1...
Parasitic diseases, such as leishmaniasis, pose a growing global health threat, particularly in regions with high HIV/AIDS prevalence [1]. The limited efficacy and growing resistance to current treatments necessitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. ∆24-sterolmethyltransferase (SMT) is an attractive target as an essential enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway of protozoa and...
The actin cytoskeleton drives membrane deformation during many cellular processes, such as migration, morphogenesis, and endocytosis. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], one of the phosphoinositides, regulates the activities of many actin-binding proteins (ABPs), including profilin, cofilin, Dia2, N-WASP, ezrin, and moesin; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain...
