To investigate the structure and function of photosystem I, cartridge mutagenesis technique was used to inactivate the psaB gene of photosystem I. From the screen, many strains which have potential defects in photosystem I were generated. Biochemical analysis revealed that B2, one of the mutant, had a reduced amount of chlorophyll. Electron transfer activitx from photosystem II to photosystem I as oxygen uptake was the rate of 64 % of wild type. Also B2 showed a decreased photosystem I activity when measured by 77 K fluorescence emission spectrum. Particularly, immunodetection analysis showed that the B2 had reduced amount of PsaA/PsaB, but a normal range of PsaC and PsaD. Here we present a photoheterotrophic mutant for psaB gene as a unique model strain for future study of structural/functional relationship and biogenesis of photosystem I.