Rapid Thermal Tuning of Chromophore Structure in Membrane Protein

TitleRapid Thermal Tuning of Chromophore Structure in Membrane Protein
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsWang, J, EL-Sayed, MA
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume113
Pagination4184-4186
Date PublishedApr
ISBN Number1520-6106
Accession NumberWOS:000264591800025
Abstract

We show that the configuration and the optical property of the retinal chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) can be tuned dynamically from the all-trans configuration to the 13-cis by using a nanosecond laser-induced temperature-jump. The rapid bleach in the visible absorption optical density of retinal has an apparent formation time of ca. 170 ns, whereas the relaxation process finishes within tens of ms. The dynamical transition of retinal from the all-trans to 13-cis species is believed to occur as a result of rapid protein conformational change especially in the vicinity of retinal binding site. Our study reveals the intrinsic dynamical aspect of the retinal chromophore with respect to the protein structure.

DOI10.1021/jp901560m