On the molecular mechanisms of the rapid and slow solar-to-electric energy storage processes by the other natural photosynthetic system, bacteriorhodopsin
Title | On the molecular mechanisms of the rapid and slow solar-to-electric energy storage processes by the other natural photosynthetic system, bacteriorhodopsin |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1995 |
Authors | EL-Sayed, MA, Griffiths, JA, Song, L, Zhang, N |
Journal | Pure and applied chemistry |
Volume | 67 |
Pagination | 149-149 |
ISBN Number | 0033-4545 |
Abstract | Upon the absorption of solar energy by retinal in bacterioi..>dopsin highly specific photoisomerization of the retinal around the C13 -C14 bond takes place. This is followed by the formation of a number of intermediates resulting from conformational changes of the protein around the retinal which leads to the deprotonation of the protonated Schiff base of the retinylidene system. Thisis the switch of the proton pump which leads to the last step in the storage of solar energy in the form of electric energy by this photosynthetic system. The removal of metal cations from bR is found to inhibit the deprotonation process. |