This protein is composed of a copper center with two
sulfur bonds and two nitrogen bonds arranged in a tetrahedral geometry.
Plastocyanin serves as a photosynthetic electron carrier in photosynthesis. It
carries a charge that makes Photosystem I functional. At low pH, plastocyanin
is the most effective charge carrier to the P700 photosystem in the
chloroplast.
Studies are being conducted in order to find the functional
relationship between plastocyanin and cytochrome-6 in Arabidopsis. In lower
plants, both proteins exist and serve the same purpose as electron carriers. In higher
plants, only plastocyanin has been found to be present and functional in the
chloroplast. Through genetic analysis it was found that plastocyanin was not
absolutely necessary for Arabidopsis growth, but plants lacking the protein did not
survive. The exact importance of plastocyanin is not clear but studies are being conducted in order to learn more about this protein and to possibly find new uses for it in genetic engineering.
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