Aggregation-related quenching of LHCII fluorescence in liposomes revealed by single-molecule spectroscopy

Incorporation of membrane proteins into reconstituted lipid membranes is a common approach for studying their structure and function relationship in native-like environment. In this work, we investigated fluorescence properties liposome-reconstituted major light-harvesting complexes plants (LHCII). By utilizing liposome labelling with the fluorescent dye molecules single-molecule microscopy techniques, were able to study truly LHCII compare them bulk measurements liposome-free aggregates bound surface. Our results showed that lifetime obtained single correlated. The lifetimes shorter than LHCII. case LHCII, dependence on protein density reminiscent concentration quenching. size was not significant. demonstrated quenching can be induced by – interactions membranes, most likely occurring via same mechanism as photoprotective non-photochemical vivo.