S ₁-state model of the O ₂-evolving complex of photosystem II

We introduce a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics model of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II in the S ₁ Mn ₄(IV,III,IV,III) state, where Ca ²⁺ is bridged to manganese centers by the carboxylate moieties of D170 and A344 on the basis of the new X-ray diffraction (XRD) model recently reported at 1.9 Å resolution. The model is also consistent with high-resolution spectroscopic data, including polarized extended X-ray absorption fine structure data of oriented single crystals. Our results provide refined intermetallic distances within the Mn cluster and suggest that the XRD model most likely corresponds to a mixture of oxidation states, including species more reduced than those observed in the catalytic cycle of water splitting.