Wild-type Reaction Centers Research Articles

Energetics of Primary Charge Separation in Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Center Mutants: Triplet Decay in Large Magnetic Fields

The triplet state of aromatic molecules forms and decays by intersystem crossing, as originally demonstrated by Kasha and Lewis. By contrast, the triplet state of the primary electron donor, 3P, in photosynthetic reaction centers is formed exclusively by spin- and magnetic-field-dependent charge recombination of the initially formed radical ion pair. 3P decays by intersystem crossing at low temperatures; however, at higher temperatures, it can also decay by activated re-formation of the radical ion pair from which it was born, followed by a spin- and magnetic-field-dependent pathway that leads ultimately to the ground state. The discovery of this activated decay pathway leads to an approach for obtaining information on the relative energies of the radical pair and 3P state (Chidsey et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1985, 82, 6850−6854); with knowledge of the absolute energy of 3P from its phosphorescence, the energy of the initial charge separation reaction can be obtained. In this paper, we present the first data on the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the formation and decay of 3P for Rb. sphaeroides reaction center mutants in a background that contains no carotenoid. The mutations have been studied in other contexts and were designed to perturb the redox potential of the primary electron donor or acceptor. The measured trends are in the same direction as expected from chemical intuition; however, the quantitative changes are typically smaller than expected. Possible reasons for this finding are discussed. Improved values are obtained for the enthalpy and free energy change associated with primary charge separation in wild-type reaction centers.

B-Side Electron Transfer in the HE(M182) Reaction Center Mutant fromRhodobacter sphaeroides

The histidine (H) ligand of the bacteriochlorophyll monomer molecule on the B-side of the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides was replaced with a glutamic acid residue (E) (mutant HE(M182)). The photochemical properties of this mutant are markedly different from those of wild-type RCs. The excited state of the initial electron donor (P*) decays with a lifetime of 2.8 ± 0.1 ps, which is about 10% faster than in wild-type RCs. The faster decay of the excited state is due to an additional electron-transfer pathway in the mutant from P to the monomer bacteriochlorophyll on the B-side (BB) of the RC, forming the state P+BB-. The initial yield of the B-side electron transfer is estimated at about 35%, whereas the remaining 65% of P* leads to electron transfer along the A-side pigments forming the charge-separated state P+HA-. The P+BB- state formed during initial charge separation decays with a lifetime of 45 ps. Of the 35% P+BB- initially formed, 10% decays to form P+HA- via ...

Exploring the energy landscape for Q(A)(-) to Q(B) electron transfer in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers: effect of substrate position and tail length on the conformational gating step.

The ability to initiate reactions with a flash of light and to monitor reactions over a wide temperature range allows detailed analysis of reaction mechanisms in photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) of purple bacteria. In this protein, the electron transfer from the reduced primary quinone (Q(A)(-)) to the secondary quinone (Q(B)) is rate-limited by conformational changes rather than electron tunneling. Q(B) movement from a distal to a proximal site has been proposed to be the rate-limiting change. The importance of quinone motion was examined by shortening the Q(B) tail from 50 to 5 carbons. No change in rate was found from 100 to 300 K. The temperature dependence of the rate was also measured in three L209 proline mutants. Under conditions where Q(B) is in the distal site in wild-type RCs, it is trapped in the proximal site in the Tyr L209 mutant [Kuglstatter, A., et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 4253-4260]. The electron transfer slows at low temperature for all three mutants as it does in wild-type protein, indicating that conformational changes still limit the reaction rate. Thus, Q(B) movement is unlikely to be the sole, rate-limiting conformational gating step. The temperature dependence of the reaction in the L209 mutants differs somewhat from wild-type RCs. Entropy-enthalpy compensation reduces the difference in rates and free energy changes at room temperature.

The structure of a mutant photosynthetic reaction center shows unexpected changes in main chain orientations and quinone position.

We report on the unexpected structural changes caused by substitution of acidic amino acids in the Q(B) binding pocket of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center by alanines. The mutations targeted key residues L212Glu and L213Asp of this transmembrane protein-cofactor complex. The amino acid substitutions in the L212Ala-L213Ala mutant reaction center ("AA") were known to affect the delivery of protons after the light-induced generation of Q(B)(-), which renders the AA strain incapable of photosynthetic growth. The AA structure not only revealed side chain rearrangements but also showed movement of the main chain segments that are contiguous with the mutation sites. The alanine substitutions caused an expansion of the cavity rather than its collapse. In addition, Q(B) is found mainly in the binding site that is proximal to the iron-ligand complex (closest to Q(A)) as opposed to its distal binding site (furthest from Q(A)) in the structure of the wild-type reaction center. The observed rearrangements in the structure of the AA reaction center establish a new balance between charged residues of an interactive network near Q(B). This structurally and electrostatically altered complex forms the basis for future understanding of the structural basis for proton transfer in active reaction centers which retain the alanine substitutions but carry a distant compensatory mutation.

Functional asymmetry of photosystem II D1 and D2 peripheral chlorophyll mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The peripheral accessory chlorophylls (Chls) of the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center (RC) are coordinated by a pair of symmetry-related histidine residues (D1-H118 and D2-H117). These Chls participate in energy transfer from the proximal antennae complexes (CP43 and CP47) to the RC core chromophores. In addition, one or both of the peripheral Chls are redox-active and participate in a low-quantum-yield electron transfer cycle around PSII. We demonstrate that conservative mutations of the D2-H117 residue result in decreased Chl fluorescence quenching efficiency attributed to reduced accumulation of the peripheral accessory Chl cation, Chl(Z)(+). In contrast, identical symmetry-related mutations at residue D1-H118 had no effect on Chl fluorescence yield or quenching kinetics. Mutagenesis of the D2-H117 residue also altered the line width of the Chl(Z)(+) EPR signal, but the line shape of the D1-H118Q mutant remained unchanged. The D1-H118 and D2-H117 mutations also altered energy transfer properties in PSII RCs. Unlike wild type or the D1-H118Q mutant, D2-H117N RCs exhibited a reduced CD doublet in the red region of Chl absorbance band, indicative of reduced energetic coupling between P680 and the peripheral accessory Chl. In addition, transient absorption measurements of D2-H117N RCs, excited on the blue side of the Chl absorbance band, exhibited a ( approximately 400 fs) pheophytin Q(X) band bleach lifetime component not seen in wild-type or D1-H118Q RCs. The origin of this component may be related to delayed fast-energy equilibration of the excited state between the core pigments of this mutant.

High yield of B-branch electron transfer in a quadruple reaction center mutant of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

A new reaction center (RC) quadruple mutant, called LDHW, of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is described. This mutant was constructed to obtain a high yield of B-branch electron transfer and to study P(+)Q(B)(-) formation via the B-branch. The A-branch of the mutant RC contains two monomer bacteriochlorophylls, B(A) and beta, as a result of the H mutation L(M214)H. The latter bacteriochlorophyll replaces bacteriopheophytin H(A) of wild-type RCs. As a result of the W mutation A(M260)W, the A-branch does not contain the ubiquinone Q(A); this facilitates the study of P(+)Q(B)(-) formation. Furthermore, the D mutation G(M203)D introduces an aspartic acid residue near B(A). Together these mutations impede electron transfer through the A-branch. The B-branch contains two bacteriopheophytins, Phi(B) and H(B), and a ubiquinone, Q(B.) Phi(B) replaces the monomer bacteriochlorophyll B(B) as a result of the L mutation H(M182)L. In the LDHW mutant we find 35-45% B-branch electron transfer, the highest yield reported so far. Transient absorption spectroscopy at 10 K, where the absorption bands due to the Q(X) transitions of Phi(B) and H(B) are well resolved, shows simultaneous bleachings of both absorption bands. Although photoreduction of the bacteriopheophytins occurs with a high yield, no significant (approximately 1%) P(+)Q(B)(-) formation was found.

B Side Electron Transfer in a Rhodobacter sphaeroides Reaction Center Mutant in Which the B Side Monomer Bacteriochlorophyll Is Replaced with Bacteriopheophytin: Low-Temperature Study and Energetics of Charge-Separated States

The mutation, HL(M182), in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center (RC) results in the replacement of the monomer bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) on the inactive side (B side) of the RC with a bacteriopheophytin (BPheo; the new cofactor is referred to as φB). In φB-containing RCs, the first excited state of the primary donor (P*) decays with an accelerated time constant of 2.6 ± 0.1 ps at room temperature as compared to 3.1 ± 0.2 ps in wild-type (WT) RCs. At low temperatures, P* decay is essentially the same in the HL(M182) mutant and WT RCs: 1.4 ± 0.1 ps at 77 K and 1.1 ± 0.1 ps at 9 K. The yield of the charge-separated P+φB- state decreases from 35% at room temperature to 12% at 77 and 9 K. The decreased P+φB- yield is apparently due to the fact that the rate of the charge separation along the A side of the RC at low temperature increases, while the rate along the B side remains essentially unchanged. From measurements of the long-lived fluorescence decay at room temperature, the standard free energy of the P+φB- state is estimated to be about 0.16 ± 0.04 eV below P*. Given a difference between the midpoint potentials of BChl and BPheo of 0.26 ± 0.03 V, the standard free energy of the P+BB- state in WT RC is estimated to be 0.1 ± 0.07 eV above P*.

B-branch electron transfer in reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides assessed with site-directed mutagenesis.

Mutants of Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides are described which were designed to study electron transfer along the so-called B-branch of reaction center (RC) cofactors. Combining the mutation L(M214)H, which results in the incorporation of a bacteriochlorophyll, beta, for H(A) [Kirmaier et al. (1991) Science 251: 922-927] with two mutations, G(M203)D and Y(M210)W, near B(A), we have created a double and a triple mutant with long lifetimes of the excited state P(*) of the primary donor P, viz. 80 and 160 ps at room temperature, respectively. The yield of P(+)Q(A) (-) formation in these mutants is reduced to 50 and 30%, respectively, of that in wildtype RCs. For both mutants, the quantum yield of P(+)H(B) (-) formation was less than 10%, in contrast to the 15% B-branch electron transfer demonstrated in RCs of a similar mutant of Rba. capsulatus with a P(*) lifetime of 15 ps [Heller et al. (1995) Science 269: 940-945]. We conclude that the lifetime of P(*) is not a governing factor in switching to B-branch electron transfer. The direct photoreduction of the secondary quinone, Q(B), was studied with a triple mutant combining the G(M203)D, L(M214)H and A(M260)W mutations. In this triple mutant Q(A) does not bind to the reaction center [Ridge et al. (1999) Photosynth Res 59: 9-26]. It is shown that B-branch electron transfer leading to P(+)Q(B) (-) formation occurs to a minor extent at both room temperature and at cryogenic temperatures (about 3% following a saturating laser flash at 20 K). In contrast, in wildtype RCs P(+)Q(B) (-) formation involves the A-branch and does not occur at all at cryogenic temperatures. Attempts to accumulate the P(+)Q(B) (-) state under continuous illumination were not successful. Charge recombination of P(+)Q(B) (-) formed by B-branch electron transfer in the new mutant is much faster (seconds) than has been previously reported for charge recombination of P(+)Q(B) (-) trapped in wildtype RCs (10(5) s) [Kleinfeld et al. (1984b) Biochemistry 23: 5780-5786]. This difference is discussed in light of the different binding sites for Q(B) and Q(B) (-) that recently have been found by X-ray crystallography at cryogenic temperatures [Stowell et al. (1997) Science 276: 812-816]. We present the first low-temperature absorption difference spectrum due to P(+)Q(B) (-).

Probing M-Branch Electron Transfer and Cofactor Environment in the Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Center by Addition of a Hydrogen Bond to the M-Side Bacteriopheophytin

Subpicosecond time-resolved absorption and steady-state resonance Raman (RR) studies are reported for Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction centers (RCs) that incorporate an Asp in place of Val M131 near the ring V keto group of the M-side bacteriopheophytin (BPh M ). The L-side C 2 -symmetry analogue of residue M131 is Glu L104, which is known to form a hydrogen bond to the ring V keto group of BPh L in the wild-type RC. The effects of the V(M131)D mutation were probed in the triple mutant V(M131)D/G(M201)D/L(M212)H, which also incorporates an Asp at M201 near the L-side bacteriochlorophyll (BChl L ) as well as the beta mutation L(M212)H that results in replacement of the native BPh L with a Bchl molecule (denoted β). The primary photochemistry in the triple mutant (denoted V(M131)D-DH) is similar to that reported previously for the G(M201)D/L(M212)H double mutant (denoted DH). Upon excitation, P* decays with a time constant of 15 ps via a combination of electron transfer to the L side (70%), decay to the ground state (15%), and electron transfer to the M side to form P + BPh M - (15%). The bleaching of the Qx ground-state absorption band of BPh M observed upon formation of P + BPh M - is red shifted 1-2 nm from ∼527 nm in the DH RC to ∼529 nm in the V(M131)D-DH mutant, and the BPh M anion band is shifted 20 nm from 645 to 665 nm. RR experiments reveal that the ring V keto vibration of BPh M at 1705 cm - 1 in the wild-type RC downshifts to 1697 cm - 1 in the V(M131)D mutant. Collectively, these results indicate that the Asp introduced at M131 forms a hydrogen bond to the ring V keto group of BPh M in both ground (neutral) and anionic states of this cofactor, and further demonstrate that M-side electron transfer to form P + BPh M - occurs in both mutants. Comparison of the effects engendered by the addition of the hydrogen to BPh M with those found previously upon removal of the Glu L104 hydrogen bond to BPh L give insights into specific and global effects of the protein on the properties of these symmetry-related cofactors.

Manipulating the direction of electron transfer in the bacterial reaction center by swapping Phe for Tyr near BChl(M) (L181) and Tyr for Phe near BChl(L) (M208).

We have investigated the primary charge separation processes in Rb. capsulatus reaction centers (RCs) bearing the mutations Phe(L181) --> Tyr, Tyr(M208) --> Phe, and Leu(M212) --> His. In the YFH mutant, decay of the excited primary electron donor P occurs with an 11 +/- 2 ps time constant and is trifurcated to give (1) internal conversion to the ground state ( approximately 10% yield), (2) charge separation to the L side of the RC ( approximately 60% yield), and (3) electron transfer to the M-side bacteriopheophytin BPh(M) ( approximately 30% yield). These results relate previous work in which the ionizable residues Lys (at L178) and Asp (at M201) have been used to facilitate charge separation to the M side of the RC, and the widely studied L181 and M208 mutants. One conclusion that comes from this work is that the Tyr (M208) --> Phe and Gly(M201) --> Asp mutations near the L-side bacteriochlorophyll (BChl(L)) raise the free energy of P(+)BChl(L)(-) by comparable amounts. The results also suggest that the free energy of P(+)BChl(M)(-) is lowered more substantially by a Tyr at L181 than a Lys at L178. The results on the YFH mutant further demonstrate that the free energy differences between the L- and M-side charge-separated states play a significant role in the directionality of charge separation in the wild-type RC, and place limits on the contributing role of differential electronic matrix elements on the two sides of the RC.

Different Mechanisms of the Binding of Soluble Electron Donors to the Photosynthetic Reaction Center ofRubrivivax gelatinosus and Blastochloris viridis

The tetraheme cytochrome subunits of the photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) in two species of purple bacteria, Rubrivivax gelatinosus and Blastochloris (Rhodopseudomonas) viridis, were compared in terms of their capabilities to bind different electron-donor proteins. The wild-type RCs from both species and mutated forms of R. gelatinosus RCs (with amino acid substitutions introduced to the binding domain for electron-donor proteins) were tested for their reactivity with soluble cytochromes and high potential iron-sulfur protein. Cytochromes from both species were good electron donors to the B. viridis RC and the R. gelatinosus RC. The reactivity in the R. gelatinosus RC showed a clear dependence on the polarity of the charges introduced to the binding domain, indicating the importance of the electrostatic interactions. In contrast, high potential iron-sulfur protein, presumed to operate according to the hydrophobic mechanism of binding, reacted significantly only with the R. gelatinosus RC. Evolutionary substitution of amino acids in a region of the binding domain on the cytochrome subunit surface probably caused the change in the principal mode of protein-protein interactions in the electron-transfer chains.

Primary Events in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers with Multiple Mutations near the Photoactive Electron Carriers

We have investigated the primary charge separation reactions in two Rhodobacter capsulatus bacterial reaction center (RC) mutants that have multiple mutations near the L-side bacteriochlorophyll (BChlL) and bacteriopheophytin (BPhL) cofactors. Both RCs contain the “beta” mutation L(M212)H that results in incorporation of a BChl molecule, denoted β, in place of the native BPhL. The mutants additionally contain one or two newly introduced aspartic acid residues. In the triple mutant F(L97)V/F(L121)D/L(M212)H, an Asp replaces Phe at L121 (near BPhL), while in the quadruple mutant F(L97)V/F(L121)D/G(M201)D/L(M212)H aspartic acid residues are introduced at L121 and at M201 (near BChlL). These mutants also incorporate a Val residue at L97 (near BPhL) that is photochemically silent but appears to increase RC protein stability. Femtosecond transient absorption studies reveal a longer P* lifetime in both the triple mutant (10 ± 2 ps) and quadruple mutant (19 ± 3 ps) compared to wild-type (4.3 ± 0.3 ps). In the quadruple mutant, P* decay occurs via a combination of electron transfer to the L side to give an intermediate P+I- (involving P+β- and P+BChlL-) in 67% yield, decay to the ground state in 15% yield, and electron transfer to the M side to form P+BPhM- in 18% yield. Key observations on the quadruple mutant include significant bleaching in the 530-nm QX absorption band of BPhM, and distinctive biexponential decay kinetics in the 600−700-nm anion region with time constants of 200 ± 30 ps (associated with decay of P+I-) and 1−4 ns (associated with charge recombination of P+BPhM-). These findings are evidence for parallel primary charge transfer to the L-side and to the normally inactive M-side. Similar results are obtained for the triple mutant, but the yields of electron transfer to the M side (12%) and P* decay to the ground state (5%) are lower and the yield of electron transfer to the L side correspondingly higher (83%). One of the most interesting differences between the two mutants is that even though the initial yield of electron transfer from P* to the L side is higher in the triple mutant, the yield of the final L-side state P+QA- is smaller than in the quadruple mutant (38% versus 48%). This distinction derives from differences in the nature of P+I- and the rates of its decay pathways in the two mutants. These and other results are discussed in terms of the effects that the Asp residues appear to have on the free energies of the charge-separated states, namely raising P+β- (Asp L121) and P+BChlL- (Asp M201). The results obtained here complement those on related mutants in providing a consistent picture of the free energies of the states and the primary events in this family of RCs and in the native system. One conclusion is that P+BChlL- in wild-type RCs probably lies 80−100 meV below P*, which is a slightly larger free energy gap than previously estimated.

X-ray structure analyses of photosynthetic reaction center variants from Rhodobacter sphaeroides: structural changes induced by point mutations at position L209 modulate electron and proton transfer.

The structures of the reaction center variants Pro L209 --> Tyr, Pro L209 --> Phe, and Pro L209 --> Glu from the photosynthetic purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides have been determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.6-2.8 A resolution. These variants were constructed to interrupt a chain of tightly bound water molecules that was assumed to facilitate proton transfer from the cytoplasm to the secondary quinone Q(B) [Baciou, L., and Michel, H. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 7967-7972]. However, the amino acid exchanges Pro L209 --> Tyr and Pro L209 --> Phe do not interrupt the water chain. Both aromatic side chains are oriented away from this water chain and interact with three surrounding polar side chains (Asp L213, Thr L226, and Glu H173) which are displaced by up to 2.6 A. The conformational changes induced by the bulky aromatic rings of Tyr L209 and Phe L209 lead to unexpected displacements of Q(B) compared to the wild-type protein. In the structure of the Pro L209 --> Tyr variant, Q(B) is shifted by approximately 4 A and is now located at a position similar to that reported for the wild-type reaction center after illumination [Stowell, M. H. B., et al. (1997) Science 276, 812-816]. In the Pro L209 --> Phe variant, the electron density map reveals an intermediate Q(B) position between the binding sites of the wild-type protein in the dark and the Pro L209 --> Tyr protein. In the Pro L209 --> Glu reaction center, the carboxylic side chain of Glu L209 is located within the water chain, and the binding site of Q(B) remains unchanged compared to the wild-type structure.

The Mechanism of Energy Transfer in the Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Center

In the accompanying paper (Scholes, G. D.; Jordanides, X. J.; Fleming, G. R. J. Phys. Chem. 2001, 105, 1640), a generalization of Forster theory is developed to calculate electronic energy transfer (EET) in molecular aggregates. Here we apply the theory to wild-type and mutant photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) from Rb. sphaeroides, as well as to the wild-type RC from Rps. viridis. Experimental information from the X-ray crystallographic structure, resonance Raman excitation profiles, and hole-burning measurements are integrated with calculated electronic couplings to model the EET dynamics within the RC complex. Optical absorption and circular dichroism spectra are calculated at various temperatures between 10 K and room temperature, and compare well with the experimentally observed spectra. The calculated rise time of the population of the lower exciton state of P, P-, as a result of energy transfer from the accessory bacteriochlorophyll, B, to the special pair, P, in Rb. sphaeroides (Rps. viridis) w...

Reaction center mutants that affect the amount and pathway of B-side electron transfer in purple nonsulfur bacteria

Absorption of blue (390 nm) light by wild type reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides results in substantial B-side electron transfer (see abstract by Lin et al.). We have isolated a number of different reaction center mutants that show B-side electron transfer using longer wavelength excitation. In a series of reaction centers in which the P/P+ potential is progressively lowered, we have found that the lowest potential mutant that we were able to measure (the double mutant L168 Hisa Glu + L170Asna Asp which is 127 mV below wild type) undergoes substantial B-side electron transfer upon excitation into either the monomer bacteriochlorophyll band at 800 nm or into the bacteriopheophytin band at 740 or 760 nm. In contrast, excitation of P at 860 nm results in only A-side electron transfer. The B-side charge separated state formed in this mutant upon excitation at or below 800 nm is stable for hundreds of picoseconds. We have also generated mutations at the amino acid that serves as the A-side monomer bacteriochlorophyll ligand resulting in loss of the 860 nm transition of P (both L153 Hisa Leu and L153 Hisa Gln have this property). These mutants show rapid and exclusive electron transfer along the B-branch upon excitation at 800 nm (monomer bacteriochlorophyll band). The kinetics and thermodynamics of charge separation along the B-branch will be discussed.

Structural Basis of the Drastically Increased Initial Electron Transfer Rate in the Reaction Center from a Rhodopseudomonas viridis Mutant Described at 2.00-Å Resolution

It has previously been shown that replacement of the residue His L168 with Phe (HL168F) in the Rhodopseudomonas viridis reaction center (RC) leads to an unprecedented drastic acceleration of the initial electron transfer rate. Here we describe the determination of the x-ray crystal structure at 2.00-A resolution of the HL168F RC. The electron density maps confirm that a hydrogen bond from the protein to the special pair is removed by this mutation. Compared with the wild-type RC, the acceptor of this hydrogen bond, the ring I acetyl group of the "special pair" bacteriochlorophyll, D(L), is rotated, and its acetyl oxygen is found 1.1 A closer to the bacteriochlorophyll-Mg(2+) of the other special pair bacteriochlorophyll, D(M). The rotation of this acetyl group and the increased interaction between the D(L) ring I acetyl oxygen and the D(M)-Mg(2+) provide the structural basis for the previously observed 80-mV decrease in the D(+)/D redox potential and the drastically increased rate of initial electron transfer to the accessory bacteriochlorophyll, B(A). The high quality of the electron density maps also allowed a reliable discussion of the mode of binding of the triazine herbicide terbutryn at the binding site of the secondary quinone, Q(B).

Characterization of a Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction center mutant that enhances the distinction between spectral forms of the initial electron donor.

A large scale mutation of the Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction center M-subunit gene, sym2-1, has been constructed in which amino acid residues M205-M210 have been changed to the corresponding L subunit amino acids. Two interconvertable spectral forms of the initial electron donor are observed in isolated reaction centers from this mutant. Which conformation dominates depends on ionic strength, the nature of the detergent used, and the temperature. Reaction centers from this mutant have a ground-state absorbance spectrum that is very similar to wild-type when measured immediately after purification in the presence of high salt. However, upon subsequent dialysis against a low ionic strength buffer or the addition of positively charged detergents, the near-infrared spectral band of P (the initial electron donor) in sym2-1 reaction centers is shifted by over 30 nm to the blue, from 852 to 820 nm. Systematically varying either the ionic strength or the amount of charged detergent reveals an isobestic point in the absorbance spectrum at 845 nm. The wild-type spectrum also shifts with ionic strength or detergent with an isobestic point at 860 nm. The large spectral separation between the two dominant conformational forms of the sym2-1 reaction center makes detailed measurements of each state possible. Both of the spectral forms of P bleach in the presence of light. Electrochemical measurements of the P/P+ midpoint potential of sym2-1 reaction centers show an increase of about 30 mV upon conversion from the long-wavelength form to the short-wavelength form of the mutant. The rate constant of initial electron transfer in both forms of the mutant reaction centers is essentially the same, suggesting that the spectral characteristics of P are not critical for charge separation. The short-wavelength form of P in this mutant also converts to the long-wavelength form as a function of temperature between room temperature and 130 K, again giving rise to an isobestic point, in this case at 838 nm for the mutant. A similar, though considerably less pronounced spectral change with temperature occurs in wild-type reaction centers, with an isobestic point at about 855 nm, close to that found by titrating with ionic strength or detergent. Fitting the temperature dependence of the sym2-1 reaction center spectrum to a thermodynamic model resulted in a value for the enthalpy of the conformational interconversion between the short- and long-wavelength forms of about -6 kJ/mol and an entropy of interconversion of about -35 J/(K mol). Similar values of enthapy and entropy changes can be used to model the temperature dependence in wild-type. Thus, much of the temperature dependence of the reaction center special pair near-infrared absorbance band can be described as an equilibrium shift between two spectrally distinct conformations of the reaction center.

Electrochromic detection of a coherent component in the formation of the charge pair P(+)H(L)(-) in bacterial reaction centers.

We demonstrate coupling of an intraprotein electron transfer reaction to coherent vibrational motions. The kinetics of charge separation toward the radical pair state P(+)H(L)(-) were studied in reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides at 15 K. The electrochromic shift of the bacteriochlorophyll monomers is the most prominent spectral feature associated with this charge displacement. The newly reported absolute absorption spectrum of the P(+)H(L)(-) state is discussed in terms of this shift. In wild-type reaction centers, the rise kinetics of the electrochromic shift display a small but significant 30 cm(-)(1) periodic modulation (period of approximately 1 ps). This modulation is also present in FL181Y mutant reaction centers, where overall charge separation is somewhat more rapid than in the wild-type reaction center. In contrast, in YM210L mutant reaction centers, where the charge separation is much slower, the modulation is absent. The conclusion that the motion along the reaction coordinate has a 30 cm(-)(1) coherent component is discussed in light of possible mechanisms of electron transfer.

Structural Consequences of the Replacement of Glycine M203 with Aspartic Acid in the Reaction Center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides,

Reaction centers with the double mutation Phe M197 to Arg and Gly M203 to Asp (FM197R/GM203D) have been crystallized from an antenna-deficient strain of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and the structure has been determined at 2.7 A resolution. Unlike in reaction centers with a single FM197R mutation, the Arg M197 residue in the FM197R/GM203D reaction center adopts a position similar to that of the native Phe residue in the wild-type reaction center. Asp M203 is packed in such a way that the gamma-carboxy group interacts with the backbone carbonyl of Arg M197. The Asp M203 residue takes up part of the volume that is occupied in the wild-type reaction center by a water molecule. This water has been proposed to form a hydrogen bond interaction with the 9-keto carbonyl group of the active branch accessory bacteriochlorophyll, particularly when the primary donor bacteriochlorophylls are oxidized. The GM203D mutation therefore appears to remove the possibility of this hydrogen bond interaction by exclusion of this water molecule, as well as altering the local dielectric environment of the 9-keto carbonyl group. We examine whether the observed structural changes can provide new or alternative explanations for the absorbance and electron-transfer properties of reaction centers with the FM197R and GM203D mutations.

Uphill Electron Transfer in the Tetraheme Cytochrome Subunit of the Rhodopseudomonas viridis Photosynthetic Reaction Center: Evidence from Site-Directed Mutagenesis

The cytochrome (cyt) subunit of the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodopseudomonas viridis contains four heme groups in a linear arrangement in the spatial order heme1, heme2, heme4, and heme3. Heme3 is the direct electron donor to the photooxidized primary electron donor (special pair, P(+)). This heme has the highest redox potential (E(m)) among the hemes in the cyt subunit. The E(m) of heme3 has been specifically lowered by site-directed mutagenesis in which the Arg residue at the position of 264 of the cyt was replaced by Lys. The mutation decreases the E(m) of heme3 from +380 to +270 mV, i.e., below that of heme2 (+320 mV). In addition, a blue shift of the alpha-band was found to accompany the mutation. The assignment of the lowered E(m) and the shifted alpha-band to heme3 was confirmed by spectroscopic measurements on RC crystals. The structure of the mutant RC has been determined by X-ray crystallography. No remarkable differences were found in the structure apart from the mutated residue itself. The velocity of the electron transfer (ET) from the tetraheme cyt to P(+) was measured under several redox conditions by following the rereduction of P(+) at 1283 nm after a laser flash. Heme3 donates an electron to P(+) with t(1/2) = 105 ns, i.e., faster than in the wild-type reaction center (t(1/2) = 190 ns), as expected from the larger driving force. The main feature is that a phase with t(1/2) approximately 2 micros dominates when heme3 is oxidized but heme2 is reduced. We conclude that the ET from heme2 to heme3 has a t(1/2) of approximately 2 micros, i.e., the same as in the WT, despite the fact that the reaction is endergonic by 50 meV instead of exergonic by 60 meV. We propose that the reaction kinetics is limited by the very uphill ET from heme2 to heme4, the DeltaG degrees of which is about the same (+230 meV) in both cases. The interpretation is further supported by measurements of the activation energy (216 meV in the wild-type, 236 meV in the mutant) and by approximate calculations of ET rates. Altogether these results demonstrate that the ET from heme2 to heme3 is stepwise, starting with a first very endergonic step from heme2 to heme4.