The oxygen evolving complex, (OEC) also known as the water-splitting complex, is a water oxidizing enzyme involved in the photooxidation of water during the light reactions of photosynthesis. Based on a widely accepted theory from 1970 by Kok, the complex can exist in 5 states: S₀ to S₄. Photons trapped by photosystem II move the system from state S₀ to S₄. S₄ is unstable and reacts with water to produce free oxygen. Currently the functional mechanism of the complex is not completely understood. Much of the known data have been collected from flash experiments, EPR, and X-ray spectroscopy.^[1]

The OEC appears to have a metalloenzyme core containing both manganese and calcium, with the empirical formula for the inorganic core of Mn₄Ca₁O_xCl_1–2(HCO₃)_y. Other characteristics of it have been reviewed; see ^[2]

[edit] References

This biochemistry article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e