Electrostatic influence of QA reduction on the IR vibrational mode of the 10a-ester C==O of HA demonstrated by mutations at residues Glu L104 and Trp L100 in reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Mechanism of recombination of the P+H(A)- radical pair in mutant Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers with modified free energy gaps between P+B(A)- and P+H(A)-

The kinetics of recombination of the P(+)H(A)(-) radical pair were compared in wild-type reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and in seven mutants in which the free energy gap, ΔG, between the charge separated states P(+)B(A)(-) and P(+)H(A)(-) was either increased or decreased. Five of the mutant RCs had been described previously, and X-ray crystal structures of two newly constructed complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The charge recombination reaction was accelerated in all mutants with a smaller ΔG than in the wild-type, and was slowed in a mutant having a larger ΔG. The free energy difference between the state P(+)H(A)(-) and the PH(A) ground state was unaffected by most of these mutations. These observations were consistent with a model in which the P(+)H(A)(-) → PH(A) charge recombination is thermally activated and occurs via the intermediate state P(+)B(A)(-), with a mean rate related to the size of the ΔG between the states P(+)B(A)(-) and P(+)H(A)(-) and not the ΔG between P(+)H(A)(-) and the ground state. A more detailed analysis of charge recombination in the mutants showed that the kinetics of the reaction were multiexponential, and characterized by ~0.5, ~1-3, and 7-17 ns lifetimes, similar to those measured for wild-type reaction centers. The exact lifetimes and relative amplitudes of the three components were strongly modulated by the mutations. Two models were considered in order to explain the observed multiexponentiality and modulation, involving heterogeneity or relaxation of P(+)H(A)(-) states, with the latter model giving a better fit to the experimental results.

Identification of the intermediate charge-separated state P+betaL- in a leucine M214 to histidine mutant of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center using femtosecond midinfrared spectroscopy

Energy and electron transfer in a Leu M214 to His (LM214H) mutant of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center (RC) were investigated by applying time-resolved visible pump/midinfrared probe spectroscopy at room temperature. This mutant replacement of the Leu at position M214 resulted in the incorporation of a bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) in place of the native bacteriopheophytin in the L-branch of cofactors (denoted betaL). Purified LM214H RCs were excited at 600 nm (unselective excitation), at 800 nm (direct excitation of the monomeric BChl cofactors B(L) and B(M)), and at 860 nm (direct excitation of the primary donor (P) BChl pair (P(L)/P(M))). Absorption changes associated with carbonyl (C=O) stretch vibrational modes (9-keto, 10a-ester, and 2a-acetyl) of the cofactors and of the protein were recorded in the region between 1600 cm(-1) and 1770 cm(-1), and the data were subjected to both a sequential analysis and a simultaneous target analysis. After photoexcitation of the LM214H RC, P* decayed on a timescale of approximately 6.3 ps to P+BL-. The decay of P+BL- occurred with a lifetime of approximately 2 ps, approximately 3 times slower than that observed in wild-type and R-26 RCs (approximately 0.7 ps). Further electron transfer to the betaL BChl resulted in formation of the P+betaL- state, and its infrared absorbance difference spectrum is reported for the first time, to our knowledge. The fs midinfrared spectra of P+BL- and P+betaL- showed clear differences related to the different environments of the two BChls in the mutant RC.

Identification of FTIR bands due to internal water molecules around the quinone binding sites in the reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The bacterial reaction center (RC) is a membrane protein complex that performs photosynthetic electron transfer from a bacteriochlorophyll dimer to quinone acceptors Q(A) and Q(B). Q(B) accepts electrons from the primary quinone, Q(A), in two sequential electron transfer reactions coupled to uptake of a proton from solution. It has been suggested that water molecules along the proton uptake pathway are protonated upon quinone reduction on the basis of FTIR difference spectra [Breton, J., and Nabedryk, E. (1998) Photosynth. Res. 55, 301-307]. We examined the possible involvement of water molecules in the photoreaction processes by studying (18)O water isotope effects on FTIR difference spectra resulting from formation of Q(A)(-) and Q(B)(-). Continuum bands in D(2)O due to Q(B)(-) formation in the 2300-1800 cm(-1) region did not show spectral shifts by (18)O water in the wild-type (WT) RC, suggesting that these bands do not originate from (protonated) water. In contrast, the Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectrum of the EQ-L212 mutant RC showed a spectral shift of a band near 2100 cm(-1) due to (18)O water substitution, consistent with protonation of internal water. FTIR shifts due to (18)O water were also observed following formation of Q(A)(-) and Q(B)(-) in the spectral region of 3700-3500 cm(-1) characteristic of weakly hydrogen bonded water. The water responsible for the Q(B)(-) change was localized near Glu-L212 by spectral shifts in mutant RCs. The weakly hydrogen bonded water perturbed by quinone reduction may play a role in stabilizing the charge-separated state.

Identification of the first steps in charge separation in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides by ultrafast mid-infrared spectroscopy: electron transfer and protein dynamics

Time-resolved visible pump/mid-infrared (mid-IR) probe spectroscopy in the region between 1600 and 1800 cm(-1) was used to investigate electron transfer, radical pair relaxation, and protein relaxation at room temperature in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center (RC). Wild-type RCs both with and without the quinone electron acceptor Q(A), were excited at 600 nm (nonselective excitation), 800 nm (direct excitation of the monomeric bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) cofactors), and 860 nm (direct excitation of the dimer of primary donor (P) BChls (P(L)/P(M))). The region between 1600 and 1800 cm(-1) encompasses absorption changes associated with carbonyl (C=O) stretch vibrational modes of the cofactors and protein. After photoexcitation of the RC the primary electron donor P excited singlet state (P*) decayed on a timescale of 3.7 ps to the state P(+)B(L)(-) (where B(L) is the accessory BChl electron acceptor). This is the first report of the mid-IR absorption spectrum of P(+)B(L)(-); the difference spectrum indicates that the 9-keto C=O stretch of B(L) is located around 1670-1680 cm(-1). After subsequent electron transfer to the bacteriopheophytin H(L) in approximately 1 ps, the state P(+)H(L)(-) was formed. A sequential analysis and simultaneous target analysis of the data showed a relaxation of the P(+)H(L)(-) radical pair on the approximately 20 ps timescale, accompanied by a change in the relative ratio of the P(L)(+) and P(M)(+) bands and by a minor change in the band amplitude at 1640 cm(-1) that may be tentatively ascribed to the response of an amide C=O to the radical pair formation. We conclude that the drop in free energy associated with the relaxation of P(+)H(L)(-) is due to an increased localization of the electron hole on the P(L) half of the dimer and a further consequence is a reduction in the electrical field causing the Stark shift of one or more amide C=O oscillators.

Replacement or exclusion of the B-branch bacteriopheophytin in the purple bacterial reaction centre: The HB cofactor is not required for assembly or core function of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides complex

All of the membrane-embedded cofactors of the purple bacterial reaction centre have well-defined functional or structural roles, with the exception of the bacteriopheophytin (H(B)) located approximately half-way across the membrane on the so-called inactive- or B-branch of cofactors. Sequence alignments indicate that this bacteriochlorin cofactor is a conserved feature of purple bacterial reaction centres, and a pheophytin is also found at this position in the Photosystem-II reaction centre. Possible structural or functional consequences of replacing the H(B) bacteriopheophytin by bacteriochlorophyll were investigated in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre through mutagenesis of residue Leu L185 to His (LL185H). Results from absorbance spectroscopy indicated that the LL185H mutant assembled with a bacteriochlorophyll at the H(B) position, but this did not affect the capacity of the reaction centre to support photosynthetic growth, or change the kinetics of charge separation along the A-branch of cofactors. It was also found that mutation of residue Ala M149 to Trp (AM149W) caused the reaction centre to assemble without an H(B) bacteriochlorin, demonstrating that this cofactor is not required for correct assembly of the reaction centre. The absence of a cofactor at this position did not affect the capacity of the reaction centre to support photosynthetic growth, or the kinetics of A-branch electron transfer. A combination of X-ray crystallography and FTIR difference spectroscopy confirmed that the H(B) cofactor was absent in the AM149W mutant, and that this had not produced any significant disturbance of the adjacent ubiquinol reductase (Q(B)) site. The data are discussed with respect to possible functional roles of the H(B) bacteriopheophytin, and we conclude that the reason(s) for conservation of a bacteriopheophytin cofactor at this position in purple bacterial reaction centres are likely to be different from those underlying conservation of a pheophytin at the analogous position in Photosystem-II.

Control of Quinone Redox Potentials in Photosystem II: Electron Transfer and Photoprotection

In O(2)-evolving complex Photosystem II (PSII), an unimpeded transfer of electrons from the primary quinone (Q(A)) to the secondary quinone (Q(B)) is essential for the efficiency of photosynthesis. Recent PSII crystal structures revealed the protein environment of the Q(A/B) binding sites. We calculated the plastoquinone (Q(A/B)) redox potentials (E(m)) for one-electron reduction with a full account of the PSII protein environment. We found two different H-bond patterns involving Q(A) and D2-Thr217, resulting in an upshift of E(m)(Q(A)) by 100 mV if the H bond between Q(A) and Thr is present. The formation of this H bond to Q(A) may be the origin of a photoprotection mechanism, which is under debate. At the Q(B) side, the formation of a H bond between D2-Ser264 and Q(B) depends on the protonation state of D1-His252. Q(B) adopts the high-potential form if the H bond to Ser is present. Conservation of this residue and H-bond pattern for Q(B) sites among bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers (bRC) and PSII strongly indicates their essential requirement for electron transfer function.

Investigation of ubiquinol formation in isolated photosynthetic reaction centers by rapid-scan Fourier transform IR spectroscopy

Light-induced formation of ubiquinol-10 in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers was followed by rapid-scan Fourier transform IR difference spectroscopy, a technique that allows the course of the reaction to be monitored, providing simultaneously information on the redox states of cofactors and on protein response. The spectrum recorded between 4 and 29 ms after the second flash showed bands at 1,470 and 1,707 cm(-1), possibly due to a QH(-) intermediate state. Spectra recorded at longer delay times showed a different shape, with bands at 1,388 (+) and 1,433 (+) cm(-1) characteristic of ubiquinol. These spectra reflect the location of the ubiquinol molecule outside the Q(B) binding site. This was confirmed by Fourier transform IR difference spectra recorded during and after continuous illumination in the presence of an excess of exogenous ubiquinone molecules, which revealed the process of ubiquinol formation, of ubiquinone/ubiquinol exchange at the Q(B) site and between detergent micelles, and of Q(B)(-) and QH(2) reoxidation by external redox mediators. Kinetics analysis of the IR bands allowed us to estimate the ubiquinone/ubiquinol exchange rate between detergent micelles to approximately 1 s. The reoxidation rate of Q(B)(-) by external donors was found to be much lower than that of QH(2), most probably reflecting a stabilizing/protecting effect of the protein for the semiquinone form. A transient band at 1,707 cm(-1) observed in the first scan (4-29 ms) after both the first and the second flash possibly reflects transient protonation of the side chain of a carboxylic amino acid involved in proton transfer from the cytoplasm towards the Q(B) site.

A vibrational spectral maker for probing the hydrogen-bonding status of protonated Asp and Glu residues

Hydrogen bonding is a fundamental element in protein structure and function. Breaking a single hydrogen bond may impair the stability of a protein. We report an infrared vibrational spectral marker for probing the hydrogen-bond number for buried, protonated Asp or Glu residues in proteins. Ab initio computational studies were performed on hydrogen-bonding interactions of a COOH group with a variety of side-chain model compounds of polar and charged amino acids in vacuum using density function theory. For hydrogen-bonding interactions with polar side-chain groups, our results show a strong correlation between the C=O stretching frequency and the hydrogen bond number of a COOH group: approximately 1759-1776 cm(-1) for zero, approximately 1733-1749 cm(-1) for one, and 1703-1710 cm(-1) for two hydrogen bonds. Experimental evidence for this correlation will be discussed. In addition, we show an approximate linear correlation between the C=O stretching frequency and the hydrogen-bond strength. We propose that a two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, C=O stretching versus O-H stretching, may be employed to identify the specific type of hydrogen-bonding interaction. This vibrational spectral marker for hydrogen-bonding interaction is expected to enhance the power of time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for structural characterization of functionally important intermediates of proteins.

Calculated coupling of transmembrane electron and proton transfer in dihemic quinol:fumarate reductase

The quinol:fumarate reductase of Wolinella succinogenes binds a low- and a high-potential heme b group in its transmembrane subunit C. Both hemes are part of the electron transport chain between the two catalytic sites of this redox enzyme. The oxidation-reduction midpoint potentials of the hemes are well established but their assignment in the structure has not yet been determined. By simulating redox titrations, using continuum electrostatics calculations, it was possible to achieve an unequivocal assignment of the low- and high-potential hemes to the distal and proximal positions in the structure, respectively. Prominent features governing the differences in midpoint potential between the two hemes are the higher loss of reaction field energy for the proximal heme and the stronger destabilization of the oxidized form of the proximal heme due to several buried Arg and Lys residues. According to the so-called "E-pathway hypothesis", quinol:fumarate reductase has previously been postulated to exhibit a novel coupling of transmembrane electron and proton transfer. Simulation of heme b reduction indicates that the protonation state of the conserved residue Glu C180, predicted to play a key role in this process, indeed depends on the redox state of the hemes. This result clearly supports the E-pathway hypothesis.

Characterization of the bonding interactions of QB upon photoreduction via A-branch or B-branch electron transfer in mutant reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

In Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers (RCs) containing the mutation Ala M260 to Trp (AM260W), transmembrane electron transfer along the full-length of the A-branch of cofactors is prevented by the loss of the Q(A) ubiquinone, but it is possible to generate the radical pair P(+)H(A)(-) by A-branch electron transfer or the radical pair P(+)Q(B)(-) by B-branch electron transfer. In the present study, FTIR spectroscopy was used to provide direct evidence for the complete absence of the Q(A) ubiquinone in mutant RCs with the AM260W mutation. Light-induced FTIR difference spectroscopy of isolated RCs was also used to probe the neutral Q(B) and the semiquinone Q(B)(-) states in two B-branch active mutants, a double AM260W-LM214H mutant, denoted WH, and a quadruple mutant, denoted WAAH, in which the AM260W, LM214H, and EL212A-DL213A mutations were combined. The data were compared to those obtained with wild-type (Wt) RCs and the double EL212A-DL213A (denoted AA) mutant which exhibit the usual A-branch electron transfer to Q(B). The Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectrum of the WH mutant is very close to that of Wt RCs indicating similar bonding interactions of Q(B) and Q(B)(-) with the protein in both RCs. The Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectra of the AA and WAAH mutants are also closely related to one another, but are very different to that of the Wt complex. Isotope-edited IR fingerprint spectra were obtained for the AA and WAAH mutants reconstituted with site-specific (13)C-labeled ubiquinone. Whilst perturbations of the interactions of the semiquinone Q(B)(-) with the protein are observed in the AA and WAAH mutants, the FTIR data show that the bonding interaction of neutral Q(B) in these two mutants are essentially the same as those for Wt RCs. Therefore, it is concluded that Q(B) occupies the same binding position proximal to the non-heme iron prior to reduction by either A-branch or B-branch electron transfer.

FTIR spectroscopy shows structural similarities between photosystems II from cyanobacteria and spinach

Photosystem II (PSII), an essential component of oxygenic photosynthesis, is a membrane-bound pigment protein complex found in green plants and cyanobacteria. Whereas the molecular structure of cyanobacterial PSII has been resolved with at least medium resolution [Zouni, A., Witt, H.-T., Kern, J., Fromme, P., Krauss, N., Saenger, W. & Orth, P. (2001) Nature (London) 409, 739-743; Kamiya, N. & Shen, J.R. (2003) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 98-103], the structure of higher plant PSII is only known at low resolution. Therefore Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy was used to compare PSII from both Thermosynechococcus elongatus and Synechocystis PCC6803 core complexes with PSII-enriched membranes from spinach (BBY). FTIR difference spectra of T. elongatus core complexes are presented for several different intermediates. As the FTIR difference spectra show close similarities among the three species, the structural arrangement of cofactors in PSII and their interactions with the protein microenvironment during photosynthetic charge separation must be very similar in higher plant PSII and cyanobacterial PSII. A structural model of higher plant PSII can therefore be predicted from the structure of cyanobacterial PSII.

Charge recombination and protein dynamics in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers entrapped in a sol-gel matrix

Many proteins can be immobilized in silica hydrogel matrices without compromising their function, making this a suitable technique for biosensor applications. Immobilization will in general affect protein structure and dynamics. To study these effects, we have measured the P(+)Q(A)(-) charge recombination kinetics after laser excitation of Q(B)-depleted wild-type photosynthetic reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides in a tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) sol-gel matrix and, for comparison, also in cryosolvent. The nonexponential electron transfer kinetics observed between 10 and 300 K were analyzed quantitatively using the spin boson model for the intrinsic temperature dependence of the electron transfer and an adiabatic change of the energy gap and electronic coupling caused by protein motions in response to the altered charge distributions. The analysis reveals similarities and differences in the TMOS-matrix and bulk-solvent samples. In both preparations, electron transfer is coupled to the same spectrum of low frequency phonons. As in bulk solvent, charge-solvating protein motions are present in the TMOS matrix. Large-scale conformational changes are arrested in the hydrogel, as evident from the nonexponential kinetics even at room temperature. The altered dynamics is likely responsible for the observed changes in the electronic coupling matrix element.

Coupling of light-induced electron transfer to proton uptake in photosynthesis

Light energy is transformed into chemical energy in photosynthesis by coupling a light-induced electron transfer to proton uptake. The resulting proton gradient drives ATP synthesis. In this study, we monitored the light-induced reactions in a 100-kDa photosynthetic protein from 30 ns to 35 s by FTIR difference spectroscopy. The results provide detailed mechanistic insights into the electron and proton transfer reactions of the QA to QB transition: reduction of QA in picoseconds induces protonation of histidines, probably of His126 and His128 in the H subunit at the entrance of the proton uptake channel, and of Asp210 in the L subunit inside the channel at 12 micros and 150 micros. This seems to be a prerequisite for the reduction of QB, mainly at 150 micros. QA- is reoxidized at 1.1 ms, and a proton is transferred from Asp210 to Glu212 in the L subunit, the proton donor to QB-. Notably, our data indicate that QB is not reduced directly by QA- but presumably through an intermediary electron donor.

Photoreduction of the quinone pool in the bacterial photosynthetic membrane: identification of infrared marker bands for quinol formation

The photoreduction of the quinone (Q) pool in the photosynthetic membrane of the purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated by steady-state and time-resolved Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy. The results are consistent with the existence of a homogeneous Q pool inside the chromatophore membrane, with a size of around 20 Q molecules per reaction center. IR marker bands for the quinone/quinol (Q/QH(2)) redox couple were recognized. QH(2) bands are identified at 1491, 1470, 1433 and 1388-1375 cm(-1). The 1491 cm(-1) band, which is sensitive to (1)H/(2)H exchange, is assigned to a C-C ring mode coupled to a C-OH mode. A feature at approximately 1743/1720 cm(-1) is tentatively related to a perturbation of the carbonyl modes of phospholipid head groups induced by QH(2) formation. Complex conformational changes of the protein in the amide I and II spectral ranges are also apparent during reduction and reoxidation of the Q pool.

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of redox transitions in photosynthetic reaction centers: comparison of perfusion- and light-induced difference spectra

Chemically induced Fourier transform infrared difference spectra associated with redox transitions of several primary electron donors and acceptors in photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) have been compared with the light-induced FTIR difference spectra involving the same cofactors. The RCs are deposited on an attenuated total reflection (ATR) prism and form a film that is enclosed in a flow cell. Redox transitions in the film of RCs can be repetitively induced either by perfusion of buffers poised at different redox potentials or by illumination. The perfusion-induced ATR-FTIR difference spectra for the oxidation of the primary electron donor P in the RCs of the purple bacteria Rb. sphaeroides and Rp. viridis and P700 in the photosystem 1 of Synechocystis 6803, as well as the Q(A)/Q(A) transition of the quinone acceptor (Q(A)) in Rb. sphaeroides RCs are reported for the first time. They are compared with the light-induced ATR-FTIR difference spectra P+Q(A)/PQ(A) for the RCs of Rb. sphaeroides and P700+/P700 for photosystem 1. It is shown that the perfusion-induced and light-induced ATR-FTIR difference spectra recorded on the same RC film display identical signal to noise ratios when they are measured under comparable conditions. The ATR-FTIR difference spectra are very similar to the equivalent FTIR difference spectra previously recorded upon photochemical or electrochemical excitation of these RCs in the more conventional transmission mode. The ATR-FTIR technique requires a smaller amount of sample compared with transmission FTIR and allows precise control of the aqueous environment of the RC films.

Rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows coupling of GLu-L212 protonation and electron transfer to Q(B) in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers

Rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy was used to investigate the electron transfer reaction Q(A-)Q(B)-->Q(A)Q(B-) (k(AB)(1)) in mutant reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, where Asp-L210 and/or Asp-M17 have been replaced with Asn. Mutation of both residues decreases drastically k(AB)(1)), attributed to slow proton transfer to Glu-L212, which becomes rate limiting for electron transfer to Q(B) [M.L. Paddock et al., Biochemistry 40 (2001) 6893]. In the double mutant, the FTIR difference spectrum recorded during the time window 4-29 ms following a flash showed peaks at 1670 (-), 1601 (-) and 1467 (+) cm(-1), characteristic of Q(A) reduction. The time evolution of the spectra shows reoxidation of Q(A-) and concomitant reduction of Q(B) with a kinetics of about 40 ms. In native reaction centers and in both single mutants, formation of Q(B-) occurs much faster than in the double mutant. Within the time resolution of the technique, protonation of Glu-L212, as characterized by an absorption increase at 1728 cm(-1) [E. Nabedryk et al., Biochemistry 34 (1995) 14722], was found to proceed with the same kinetics as reduction of Q(B) in all samples. These rapid-scan FTIR results support the model of proton uptake being rate limiting for the first electron transfer from Q(A-) to Q(B) and the identification of Glu-L212 as the main proton acceptor in the state Q(A)Q(B-).

Long-lived charge-separated states in bacterial reaction centers isolated from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

We studied the accumulation of long-lived charge-separated states in reaction centers isolated from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, using continuous illumination, or trains of single-turnover flashes. We found that under both conditions a long-lived state was produced with a quantum yield of about 1%. This long-lived species resembles the normal P(+)Q(-) state in all respects, but has a lifetime of several minutes. Under continuous illumination the long-lived state can be accumulated, leading to close to full conversion of the reaction centers into this state. The lifetime of this accumulated state varies from a few minutes up to more than 20 min, and depends on the illumination history. Surprisingly, the lifetime and quantum yield do not depend on the presence of the secondary quinone, Q(B). Under oxygen-free conditions the accumulation was reversible, no changes in the normal recombination times were observed due to the intense illumination. The long-lived state is responsible for most of the dark adaptation and hysteresis effects observed in room temperature experiments. A simple method for quinone extraction and reconstitution was developed.

Fourier transform infrared evidence of proton uptake by glutamate L212 upon reduction of the secondary quinone QB in the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodobacter capsulatus

The photoreduction of the secondary quinone Q(B) in native reaction centers (RCs) of Rhodobacter capsulatus and in RCs from the GluL212 --> Gln and GluL212 --> Ala mutants has been investigated at pH 7 in (1)H(2)O and (2)H(2)O by light-induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy. The Q(B)(-)/Q(B) FTIR difference spectra reflect changes of quinone-protein interactions and of protonation state of carboxylic acid groups as well as reorganization of the protein upon electron transfer. Comparison of Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectra of native and mutant RCs indicates that the interactions between Q(B) or Q(B)(-) and the protein are similar in all RCs. A differential signal at approximately 1650/1640 cm(-1), which is common to all the spectra, is associated with a movement of a peptide carbonyl or a side chain following Q(B) reduction. On the other hand, Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectra of native and mutant RCs display several differences, notably between 1700 and 1650 cm(-1) (amide I and side chains), between 1570 and 1530 cm(-1) (amide II), and at 1728-1730 cm(-1) (protonated carboxylic acid groups). In particular, the latter region in native RCs is characterized by a main positive band at 1728 cm(-1) and a negative signal at 1739 cm(-1). In the L212 mutants, the amplitude of the positive band is strongly decreased leading to a differential signal at 1739/1730 cm(-1) that is insensitive to (1)H/(2)H isotopic exchange. In native RCs, only the 1728 cm(-1) band is affected in (2)H(2)O while the 1739 cm(-1) signal is not. The effects of the mutations and of (1)H/(2)H exchange on the Q(B)(-)/Q(B) spectra concur in the attribution of the 1728 cm(-1) band in native RCs to (partial) proton uptake by GluL212 upon the first electron transfer to Q(B), as previously observed in Rhodobacter sphaeroides RCs [Nabedryk, E., Breton, J., Hienerwadel, R., Fogel, C., Mäntele, W., Paddock, M. L., and Okamura, M. Y. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 14722-14732]. More generally, strong homologies of the Q(B) to Q(B)(-) transition in the RCs from Rb. sphaeroides and Rb. capsulatus are detected by differential FTIR spectroscopy. The FTIR data are discussed in relation with the results from global proton uptake measurements and electrogenic events concomitant with the reduction of Q(B) and with a model of the Q(B) turnover in Rb. sphaeroides RCs [Mulkidjanian, A. Y. (1999) FEBS Lett. 463, 199-204].

A plausible mechanism of electron transfer between quinones in photosynthetic reaction centers

The mechanism of long-range electron transfer between the primary and the secondary quinone of photosynthetic reaction centers has been investigated, with particular attention on the role of the iron-histidine bridge. Computations suggest that in such a system, where the molecular subunits are packed together by H-bonds, a mobile electron, injected on one end of the chain, can be carried to the other end by switching the positions of the H-bonded hydrogens. Energy estimates would suggest that the proposed mechanism is plausible and worthy of further experimental investigations.

Efficient exchange of the primary quinone acceptor Q(A) in isolated reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas viridis

A key step in the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy by photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) occurs at the level of the two quinones, Q(A) and Q(B), where electron transfer couples to proton transfer. A great deal of our understanding of the mechanisms of these coupled reactions relies on the seminal work of Okamura et al. [Okamura, M. Y., Isaacson, R. A., & Feher, G. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 3491-3495], who were able to extract with detergents the firmly bound ubiquinone Q(A) from the RC of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and reconstitute the site with extraneous quinones. Up to now a comparable protocol was lacking for the RC of Rhodopseudomonas viridis despite the fact that its Q(A) site, which contains 2-methyl-3-nonaprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (menaquinone-9), has provided the best x-ray structure available. Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy, together with the use of isotopically labeled quinones, can probe the interaction of Q(A) with the RC protein. We establish that a simple incubation procedure of isolated RCs of Rp. viridis with an excess of extraneous quinone allows the menaquinone-9 in the Q(A) site to be almost quantitatively replaced either by vitamin K(1), a close analogue of menaquinone-9, or by ubiquinone. To our knowledge, this is the first report of quinone exchange in bacterial photosynthesis. The Fourier transform infrared data on the quinone and semiquinone vibrations show a close similarity in the bonding interactions of vitamin K(1) with the protein at the Q(A) site of Rp. viridis and Rb. sphaeroides, whereas for ubiquinone these interactions are significantly different. The results are interpreted in terms of slightly inequivalent quinone-protein interactions by comparison with the crystallographic data available for the Q(A) site of the two RCs.