Cryptophyte plastids originated from a red algal ancestor through secondary endosymbiosis. Cryptophyte photosystem I (PSI) associates with transmembrane alloxanthin-chlorophyll a/c proteins (ACPIs) as light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). Here we report the structure of the photosynthetic PSI–ACPI supercomplex from the cryptophyte Chroomonas placoidea at 2.7-Å resolution obtained by cryo-electron microscopy. Cryptophyte PSI–ACPI represents a unique PSI–LHCI intermediate in the evolution from red algal to diatom PSI–LHCI. The PSI–ACPI supercomplex is composed of a monomeric PSI core containing 14 subunits, 12 of which originated in red algae, one diatom PsaR homolog, and an additional peptide. The PSI core is surrounded by 14 ACPI subunits that form two antenna layers: an inner layer with 11 ACPIs surrounding the PSI core, and an outer layer containing 3 ACPIs. A pigment-binding subunit that is not present in any other previously characterized PSI–LHCI complexes, ACPI-S, mediates the association and energy transfer between the outer and inner ACPIs. The extensive pigment network of PSI–ACPI ensures efficient light harvesting, energy transfer, and dissipation. Overall, the PSI–LHCI structure identified in this study provides a framework for delineating the mechanisms of energy transfer in cryptophyte PSI–LHCI and for understanding the evolution of photosynthesis in the red lineage, which occurred via secondary endosymbiosis.

Braun’s lipoprotein (Lpp) plays a major role in stabilizing the integrity of the cell envelope in Escherichia coli , as it provides a covalent cross-link between the outer membrane and the peptidoglycan layer. An important challenge in elucidating the physiological role of Lpp lies in attaining a detailed understanding of its distribution on the peptidoglycan layer. Here, using atomic force microscopy, we visualized Lpp directly on peptidoglycan sacculi. Lpp is homogeneously distributed over the outer surface of the sacculus at a high density. However, it is absent at the constriction site during cell division, revealing its role in the cell division process with Pal, another cell envelope–associated protein. Collectively, we have established a framework to elucidate the distribution of Lpp and other peptidoglycan-bound proteins via a direct imaging modality.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the largest DNA viruses and the major pathogen responsible for white spot syndrome in crustaceans. The WSSV capsid is critical for genome encapsulation and ejection and exhibits the rod-shaped and oval-shaped structures during the viral life cycle. However, the detailed architecture of the capsid and the structural transition mechanism remain unclear. Here, using cryo–electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we obtained a cryo-EM model of the rod-shaped WSSV capsid and were able to characterize its ring-stacked assembly mechanism. Furthermore, we identified an oval-shaped WSSV capsid from intact WSSV virions and analyzed the structural transition mechanism from the oval-shaped to rod-shaped capsids induced by high salinity. These transitions, which decrease internal capsid pressure, always accompany DNA release and mostly eliminate the infection of the host cells. Our results demonstrate an unusual assembly mechanism of the WSSV capsid and offer structural insights into the pressure-driven genome release.