Photosynthetica 2025, 63(1):10-19 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2025.002

Sixty years of research on photosynthesis: a personal scientific autobiography

T. OGAWA
Kamisaginomiya 3-17-11, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 165-0031, Japan

The following scientific autobiography is presented here as a homage to Professor Kazuo Shibata, who is the one who led me to do research in photosynthesis. He had invited me to Riken (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), and had launched the Japan-US Collaboration Project on "The Solar Energy Conversion by Means of Photosynthesis" and had invited many international scientists to Riken. My research, under Shibata, started on using a sensitive method for the determination of chlorophyll b, and of SDS-PAGE for the pigment protein complexes of the two photosystems. After Shibata had passed away at the age of 66, I found post-illumination CO2 burst from cyanobacterial cell suspensions. This finding led me to study the CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) and the function and structure of NADP(H) dehydrogenase complexes (NDH-I) in cyanobacteria, which were developed after I had moved to Nagoya University, and in several other laboratories in the world after I had retired from Nagoya University.

Additional key words: CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM); cyanobacteria; Kazuo Shibata; NDH-I complexes; Riken (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research); stomata.

Received: December 11, 2024; Accepted: January 2, 2025; Prepublished online: January 30, 2025; Published: March 27, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
OGAWA, T. (2025). Sixty years of research on photosynthesis: a personal scientific autobiography. Photosynthetica, 63(1), 10-19. doi: 10.32615/ps.2025.002
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Arteni A.A., Zhang P., Battchikova N. et al.: Structural characterization of NDH-1 complexes of Thermosynecho­coccus elongatus by single particle electron microscopy. - BBA-Bioenergetics 1757: 1469-1475, 2006. Go to original source...
    2. Battchikova N., Zhang P., Rudd S. et al.: Identification of NdhL and Ssl1690 (NdhO) in NDH-1L and NDH-1M complexes of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. - J. Biol. Chem. 280: 2587-2595, 2005. Go to original source...
    3. Bernát G., Appel J., Ogawa T., Rögner M.: Distinct roles of multiple NDH-1 complexes in the cyanobacterial electron transport network as revealed by kinetic analysis of P700+ reduction in various ndh-deficient strains of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. - J. Bacteriol. 193: 292-295, 2011. Go to original source...
    4. Boardman N.K.: My journey to photosynthesis. - Photosynth. Res. 157: 159-170, 2023. Go to original source...
    5. Boardman N.K., Anderson J.M.: Isolation from spinach chloroplasts of particles containing different proportions of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and their possible role in the light reactions of photosynthesis. - Nature 203: 166-167, 1964. Go to original source...
    6. Folea I.M., Zhang P., Nowaczykc M.M. et al.: Single particle analysis of thylakoid proteins from Thermosynechococcus elongatus and Synechocystis 6803: Localization of the CupA subunit of NDH-1. - FEBS Lett. 582: 249-254, 2008. Go to original source...
    7. Govindjee G., Malkin R., Ogawa T.: Bacon Ke (1920-2022): a pioneer of primary photochemistry of photosynthesis. - Photosynthetica 60: 360-361, 2022. Go to original source...
    8. Govindjee G., Nonomura A., Lichtenthaler H.K.: Remembering Melvin Calvin (1911-1997), a highly versatile scientist of the 20th century. - Photosynth. Res. 143: 1-11, 2020. Go to original source...
    9. Govindjee, Fork D.C.: Charles Stacy French (1907-1995). - In: Biographical Memoirs. Vol. 88. Pp. 2-29. National Academy of Sciences, Washington 2006.
    10. Hangarter R.P., Ort D.R.: Obituary. Norman E. Good (1917-1992). - Photosynth. Res. 34: 245-247, 1992. Go to original source...
    11. Hiyama T., Ke B.: A new photosynthetic pigment, "P430": its possible role as the primary electron acceptor of photosystem I. - PNAS 68: 1010-1013, 1971. Go to original source...
    12. Iino M., Ogawa T., Zeiger E.: Kinetic properties of the blue-light response of stomata. - PNAS 82: 8019-8023, 1985. Go to original source...
    13. Inoue Y.: Manganese catalyst as a possible cation carrier in thermoluminescence from green plants. - FEBS Lett. 72: 279-282, 1976. Go to original source...
    14. Inoue Y., Yamashita T., Kobayashi Y., Shibata K.: Thermoluminescence changes during inactivation and reactivation of the oxygen-evolving system in isolated chloroplasts. - FEBS Lett. 82: 303-306, 1977. Go to original source...
    15. Kaplan A., Badger M.R., Berry J.A.: Photosynthesis and the intracellular carbon pool in the bluegreen alga Anabaena variabilis: Response to external CO2 concentration. - Planta 149: 219-226, 1980. Go to original source...
    16. Kaplan A., Hagemann M., Bauwe H. et al.: Carbon acquisition by cyanobacteria: Mechanisms, comparative genomics, and evolution. - In: Herrero A., Flores E. (ed.): The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Evolution. Pp. 305-334. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk 2008.
    17. Katoh H., Grossman A.R., Hagino N., Ogawa T.: A gene of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 encoding novel iron transporter. - J. Bacteriol. 182: 6523-6524, 2000. Go to original source...
    18. Liu J., Zheng F., Xu M. et al.: CupAR negatively controls the key protein CupA in the carbon acquisition complex NDH-1MS in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. - J. Biol. Chem. 300: 107716, 2024. Go to original source...
    19. Mi H., Endo T., Schreiber U. et al.: Electron donation from cyclic and respiratory flows to photosynthetic intersystem chain is mediated by pyridine nucleotid dehydrogenase in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803. - Plant Cell Physiol. 33: 1233-1237, 1992.
    20. Mi H., Endo T., Schreiber U. et al.: NAD(P)H dehydrogenase-dependent cyclic electron flow around photosystem I in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803: A study of dark-starved cells and spheroplasts. - Plant Cell Physiol. 35: 163-173, 1994.
    21. Nonomura A.M., Holtz B., Biel K.Y. et al.: The paths of Andrew A. Benson: a radio-autobiography. - Photosynth. Res. 134: 93-105, 2017. Go to original source...
    22. Ogawa T.: Two steps of gas exchange in leaf photosynthesis. - Physiol. Plantarum 35: 91-95, 1975. Go to original source...
    23. Ogawa T.: Simple oscillations in photosynthesis of higher plants. -BBA-Bioenergetics 681: 103-109, 1982. Go to original source...
    24. Ogawa T.: Mutants of Synechocystis PCC 6803 defective in inorganic carbon transport. - Plant Physiol. 94: 760-765, 1990. Go to original source...
    25. Ogawa T.: A gene homologous to the subunit-2 gene of NADH dehydrogenase is essential to inorganic carbon transport of Synechocystis PCC 6803. - PNAS 88: 4275-4279, 1991. Go to original source...
    26. Ogawa T.: Identification and characterization of the ictA/ndhL gene product essential to inorganic carbon transport of Synechocystis PCC6803. - Plant Physiol. 99: 1604-1608, 1992. Go to original source...
    27. Ogawa T.: Physical separation of chlorophyll-protein complexes. -Photosynth. Res. 76: 227-232, 2003. Go to original source...
    28. Ogawa T., Bao D.H., Katoh H. et al.: A two-component signal transduction pathway regulates manganese homeostasis in Synechocystis 6803, a photosynthetic organism. - J. Biol. Chem. 277: 28981-28986, 2002. Go to original source...
    29. Ogawa T., Grantz D., Boyer J., Govindjee: Effects of cations and abscisic acid on chlorophyll a fluorescence in guard cells of Vicia faba. - Plant Physiol. 69: 1140-1144, 1982. Go to original source...
    30. Ogawa T., Inoue Y.: Photosystem-1 initiated postillumination CO2 burst in a cyanobacterium, Anabaena variabilis. - BBA-Bioenergetics 724: 490-493, 1983. Go to original source...
    31. Ogawa T., Ishikawa H., Shimada K., Shibata K.: Synergistic action of red and blue light and action spectra for malate formation in guard cells of Vicia faba L. - Planta 142: 61-65, 1978. Go to original source...
    32. Ogawa T., Kanai R., Shibata K.: Distribution of carotenoids in the two photochemical systems of higher plants and algae. - In: Shibata K., Takamiya A., Jagendorf A.T., Fuller R.C. (ed.): Comparative Biochemistry and Biophysics of Photosynthesis. Pp. 22-35. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo 1968.
    33. Ogawa T., Obata F., Shibata K.: Two pigment proteins in spinach chloroplasts. - BBA-Biophysics 112: 223-234, 1966. Go to original source...
    34. Ogawa T., Ogren W.L.: Action spectra for accumulation of inorganic carbon in the cyanobacterium, Anabaena variabilis. -Photochem. Photobiol. 41: 583-587, 1985. Go to original source...
    35. Ogawa T., Shibata K.: A sensitive method for determining chlorophyll b in plant extracts. - Photochem. Photobiol. 4: 193-200, 1965. Go to original source...
    36. Ogawa T., Shibata K.: A simple porometer for precise recording of leaf resistance. - Plant Cell Physiol. 14: 1039-1043, 1973.
    37. Ogawa T., Vernon L.P.: A fraction from Anabaena variabilis enriched in the reaction center chlorophyll P700. - BBA-Bioenergetics 180: 334-346, 1969. Go to original source...
    38. Ogawa T., Vernon L.P., Mollenhauer H.H.: Properties and structure of fractions prepared from Anabaena variabilis by the use of Triton X-100. - BBA-Bioenergetics 172: 216-229, 1969. Go to original source...
    39. Ohkawa H., Pakrasi H.B., Ogawa T.: Two types of functionally distinct NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. - J. Biol. Chem. 275: 31630-31634, 2000. Go to original source...
    40. Omata T., Ogawa T.: Biosynthesis of a 42-kD polypeptide in the cytoplasmic membrane of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans strain R2 during adaptation to low CO2 concentration. - Plant Physiol. 80: 525-530, 1986. Go to original source...
    41. Omata T., Ohmori M., Arai N., Ogawa T.: Genetically engineered mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942 defective in nitrate transport. - PNAS 86: 6612-6616, 1989. Go to original source...
    42. Omata T., Price G.D., Badger M.R. et al.: Identification of an ATP-binding cassette transporter involved in bicarbonate uptake in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942. - PNAS 96: 13571-13576, 1999. Go to original source...
    43. Pakrasi H., Ogawa T., Bhattacharrya-Pakrasi M.: Transport of metals: A key process in oxygenic photosynthesis. - In: Aro E.-M., Andersson B. (ed.): Regulation of Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Vol. 11. Pp. 253-264. Springer, Dordrecht 2001. Go to original source...
    44. Rutherford A.W., Govindjee G., Inoue Y.: Charge accumulation and photochemistry in leaves studied by thermoluminescence and delayed light emission. - PNAS 81: 1107-1111, 1984. Go to original source...
    45. Shen J.-R., Kamiya N.: Crystallization and the crystal properties of the oxygen-evolving photosystem II from Synechococcus vulcanus. - Biochemistry 39: 14739-14744, 2000. Go to original source...
    46. Shibata M., Katoh H., Sonoda M. et al.: Genes essential to sodium-dependent bicarbonate transport in cyanobacteria: Function and phylogenetic analysis. - J. Biol. Chem. 277: 18658-18664, 2002. Go to original source...
    47. Shibata M., Ohkawa H., Kaneko T. et al.: Distinct constitutive and low-CO2-induced CO2 uptake systems in cyanobacteria: Genes involved and their phylogenetic relationship with homologous genes in other organisms. - PNAS 98: 11789-11794, 2001. Go to original source...
    48. Umena Y., Kawakami K., Shen J.-R., Kamiya N.: Crystal structure of oxygen-evolving photosystem II at a resolution of 1.9 Å. - Nature 473: 55-60, 2011. Go to original source...
    49. Vernon L.P.: Photosynthesis and the Charles F. Kettering research laboratory. - Photosynth. Res. 76: 379-388, 2003. Go to original source...
    50. Vernon L.P., Yamamoto H.Y., Ogawa T.: Partially purified photosynthetic reaction centers from plant tissues. - PNAS 63: 911-917, 1969. Go to original source...
    51. Xu M., Bernát G., Singh A. et al.: Properties of mutants of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 lacking inorganic carbon sequestration systems. - Plant Cell Physiol. 49: 1672-1677, 2008. Go to original source...
    52. Yamamoto H.Y., Nakayama T.O.M., Chichester C.O.: Studies on the light and dark interconversions of leaf xanthophylls. - Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 97: 168-173, 1962. Go to original source...
    53. Zeiger E., Iino M., Shimazaki K., Ogawa T.: The blue-light response of stomata: Mechanism and function. - In: Zeiger E., Farquhar G.D., Cowan I.R. (ed.): Stomatal Function. Pp. 209-227. Stanford University Press, Stanford 1987.
    54. Zhang P., Battchikova N., Jansen T. et al.: Expression and functional roles of the two distinct NDH-1 complexes and the carbon acquisition complex NdhD3/NdhF3/CupA/Sll1735 in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. - Plant Cell 16: 3326-3340, 2004. Go to original source...

    Return to the content