Deletion of psbQ ’ gene in Cyanidioschyzon merolae reveals the function of extrinsic PsbQ ’ in PSII

Key message We have successfully produced single-cell colonies of C. merolae mutants, lacking the PsbQ’ subunit in its PSII complex by application of DTA-aided mutant selection. We have investigated the physiological changes in PSII function and structure and proposed a tentative explanation of the function of PsbQ’ subunit in the PSII complex.