应用飞秒时间分辨瞬态吸收光谱研究蛋白质中距离相关长程电荷转移：光合细菌天线复合体LH2与TiO2纳米颗粒超分子组装体个例初探

蛋白质在生物体内电荷转移过程中所起的作用迄今仍然是一个有争议的问题,其争论焦点是蛋白质在生物电荷转移过程中是否提供特殊的电子传递通道或者是仅仅作为普通的有机介质。应用飞秒时间分辨瞬态吸收光谱研究由光合细菌天线分子和平均粒径为8nm的TiO2组装而成的超分子系统中长程电荷转移,晶体结构研究表明,光合细菌天线分子具有由多个α-脱辅基和β-脱辅基蛋白跨膜螺旋构成的双层空心柱面体结构,其中α-脱辅基蛋白跨膜螺旋构成的小环状体套于β-脱辅基蛋白跨膜螺旋构成的大环状体中,小环状体的空腔直径约为3.6nm。光合色素细菌叶绿素和β-胡萝卜素分子处于两环之间。细菌叶绿素距离外周胞质膜最近,预计为1nm。本研究试图将TiO2纳米颗粒部分装入光合细菌膜蛋白的腔体中,探讨细菌叶绿素与TiO2纳米颗粒间进行的光致长程电荷转移,进而揭示蛋白质在电荷转移过程中所起的作用。实验观察到细菌叶绿素B850在LH2/TiO2中的基态漂白恢复的时间常数明显地比在LH2中短,应用长程电荷转移模型。将蛋白质视为普通介电媒体。由电荷转移速率推算得到细菌叶绿素与TiO2纳米颗粒最近表面的距离为0.6nm。表明TiO2纳米颗粒已经成功地部分装入光合细菌天线分子的空腔中。     

光系统Ⅱ反应中心CP47/D1/D2/Cyt b-559复合物中色素分子空间取向的线二色光谱研究

线二色光谱(LD)是研究色素分子在光合膜上空间取向和排布的重要手段.采用低温(100K)吸收光谱和线二色光谱技术研究光系统Ⅱ核心复合物CP47/D1/D2/Cyt b-559中色素分子的空间取向.结果表明,在光系统Ⅱ核心复合物CP47/D1/D2/Cyt b-559中680 nm处有吸收的叶绿素分子Qy跃迁与光合膜平面平行.β-胡萝卜素分子有两种不同的空间取向,其中在470和505nm处有吸收的β-胡萝卜素分子(Ⅰ)与光合膜平面近似平行,而在460和490nm处有吸收的β-胡萝卜素分子(Ⅱ)与光合膜垂直.光破坏实验显示垂直取向的β-胡萝卜素分子对强光敏感.680nm处吸收的叶绿素分子成分复杂,可能包含有P680和核心天线CP47蛋白上的色素分子.     

光系统Ⅱ反应中心CP47/D1/D2/Cyt b-559复合物中色素分子空间取向的线二色光谱研究(英文)

线二色光谱(LD)是研究色素分子在光合膜上空间取向和排布的重要手段。采用低温(1 0 0K)吸收光谱和线二色光谱技术研究光系统Ⅱ核心复合物CP47/D1/D2/Cytb_5 5 9中色素分子的空间取向。结果表明,在光系统Ⅱ核心复合物CP47/D1/D2/Cytb_5 5 9中 6 80nm处有吸收的叶绿素分子Qy 跃迁与光合膜平面平行。β_胡萝卜素分子有两种不同的空间取向,其中在 470和 5 0 5nm处有吸收的 β_胡萝卜素分子(Ⅰ)与光合膜平面近似平行,而在 46 0和 490nm处有吸收的 β_胡萝卜素分子(Ⅱ)与光合膜垂直。光破坏实验显示垂直取向的 β_胡萝卜素分子对强光敏感。6 80nm处吸收的叶绿素分子成分复杂,可能包含有P6 80和核心天线CP47蛋白上的色素分子。     

太阳能电池反应模拟光合系统反应中心电荷复合形成三线态分子的过程

光合系统反应中心普遍存在电荷复合反应形成三线态分子的过程,并通过所形成的三线态β-胡萝卜素将剩余的能量经无辐射通道耗散给环境,实现光合系统的光保护功能.这一过程在人工合成系统中十分罕见,见诸报道的仅有少数由给体-受体组成的超分子体系.首次报道应用染料敏化TiO2胶体颗粒的人工太阳能电池反应,模拟光合系统三线态分子的形成过程,成功地观测到了视黄酸自由基正离子与TiO2表面束缚电子复合而形成的三线态视黄酸分子,并对其光谱和动力学过程进行了纳秒时间分辨光谱表征.     

PSⅡ核心复合物能量传递的飞秒时间分辨荧光光谱学研究

运用稳态、瞬态荧光光谱技术对光系统Ⅱ核心复合物的能量传递动力学进行研究.分别用436 nm光脉冲激发叶绿素a分子、45l nm光激发叶绿素a和β-胡萝卜素分子、473和481 nm光激发β-胡萝卜素分子,得到5组反应能量传递、电荷重组等过程的寿命组分:8～40 ps为核心天线中β-胡萝卜素分子通过相邻β-胡萝卜素分子或中间叶绿素a向叶绿素a分子传递能量的时间;85～152 ps为核心天线色素分子激发能传递时间;201～925 ps反映部分电荷重组过程;1.03l～1.2l ns为参与能量传递的色素分子从激发态衰退回到基态的时间;6.17～18.13 ns的长寿命时间组分归因于P680+Pheo-的重组过程.将荧光发射谱进行高斯解析,发现在核心复合物中还至少存在Chla 685 683、Chla 682 680、Chla679 673,677三种特征叶绿素a分子.     

β肾上腺素受体的结构与功能域

β肾上腺素受体具有视紫红质样结构,包括由膜两侧亲水环相互联结7个疏水性跨膜α螺旋结构,N端无信号序列而含有2个N-糖基化位点,C端富含丝氨酸和苏氨酸残基.7个跨膜结构构成配基结合位点.β受体细胞膜内侧环状序列形成两亲α螺旋结构,与G蛋白相互作用.C端及第3个内侧环的丝氨酸及苏氨酸残基构成受体磷酸化位点,参与受体功能调控.     

A型流感病毒M2膜蛋白两亲性螺旋构象变化的FRET研究

A型流感病毒膜质子通道M2是一个重要的抗流感药物靶点,其通道功能与蛋白质构象变化紧密相关.M2跨膜螺旋结构与功能的研究已经取得了显著进展,但其膜内碳端两亲性螺旋的构象变化与M2功能的关系尚不明确.在这个两亲性螺旋中引入能与跨膜域色氨酸形成福斯特共振能量转移(FRET)作用的非天然氨基酸Phe CN,以便研究通道激活或抑制后M2蛋白膜内部分的构象变化.在酸性环境通道激活的条件下,两亲性螺旋与跨膜螺旋间的距离增大,其增大幅度基本不受药物抑制通道活性的影响.由此推测两亲性螺旋的构象变化与通道活性无关,反而很可能与M2在病毒出芽过程中的作用相关.     

春玉米叶片衰老中激素变化,Ca^2＋跨膜运输和膜脂过氧化三者之间的关系

通过离体玉米（ZeamaysL．）叶片培养和叶肉质膜微囊45Ca2 吸收等实验,探索春玉米叶片衰老过程中激素变化、Ca2 跨膜运输及膜脂过氧化三者之间的联系。结果认为,玉米叶片衰老的可能过程首先是内源激素含量变化,继而影响到Ca2 跨膜运输,进而导致膜脂过氧化,由此引起叶绿素和蛋白质降解。     

三角褐指藻岩藻黄素-叶绿素蛋白复合体的分离纯化和功能研究

通过改进硅藻主要捕光天线(FCP)的分离和提取方法, 得到高纯度、高均一性的三角褐指藻FCP蛋白,并通过电泳、液相色谱、质谱和吸收荧光光谱学等手段研究三角褐指藻FCP的氨基酸序列、色素组成和捕光特点等, 初步预测三角褐指藻的结构和功能特点。结果表明三角褐指藻FCP含有198个氨基酸, 与高等植物LHCII的序列Identity约为24%。三维结构预测显示FCP具有与LHCII相似的三次跨膜螺旋框架结构, 但跨膜螺旋较短, 且无膜表面螺旋结构。FCP中主要结合了叶绿素a、叶绿素c、岩藻黄素, 不含叶绿素b, Chl. a/c为3.0。光谱学分析表明岩藻黄素可以在水下弱光环境中有效地捕获绿光, 并高效地传递至叶绿素。而岩藻黄素在400-500 nm区域吸收的光能, 向叶绿素传递效率较低, 预示着岩藻黄素在强光下也有一定的光保护功能。FCP中有4个叶绿素结合的保守氨基酸位点, 可能是其叶绿素结合位置, 但岩藻黄素的结合位置因其结构和结合位点的变化而无法预测。研究为进一步探索FCP的结构和功能特性奠定了基础。     

色素分子在光合膜内取向初探

从正常大麦与缺乏叶绿素b大麦突变种的类囊体中分离提纯捕光叶绿素a /b—蛋白复合体和光系统Ⅱ颗粒,比较其线二色光谱,以及光合膜受到不饱和脂肪酸处理时线二色光谱的变化,参照几种光合色素的标准吸收光谱,初步分析和探讨了叶绿体光合膜中各种线二色组分可能的取向,提出了难以分辩的710～730 nm区域、624nm和595 nm处存在弱二色成分的证据。 七种高等植物叶绿体线二色光谱的成分大致相同。离体叶绿体在不同贮存条件(温度、时间等)下的线二色光谱,在一定范围内表明其色素及色素蛋白复合体具有稳定性。     

Protein structural deformation induced lifetime shortening of photosynthetic bacteria light-harvesting complex LH2 excited state

Photosynthetic bacterial light-harvesting antenna complex LH2 was immobilized on the surface of TiO(2) nanoparticles in the colloidal solution. The LH2/TiO(2) assembly was investigated by the time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The excited-state lifetimes for carotenoid-containing and carotenoidless LH2 have been measured, showing a decrease in the excited-state lifetime of B850 when LH2 was immobilized on TiO(2). The possibility that the decrease of the LH2 excited-state lifetime being caused by an interfacial electron transfer reaction between B850 and the TiO(2) nanoparticle was precluded experimentally. We proposed that the observed change in the photophysical properties of LH2 when assembled onto TiO(2) nanoparticles is arising from the interfacial-interaction-induced structural deformation of the LH2 complex deviating from an ellipse of less eccentric to a more eccentric ellipse, and the observed phenomenon can be accounted by an elliptical exciton model. Experiment by using photoinactive SiO(2) nanoparticle in place of TiO(2) and core complex LH1 instead of LH2 provide further evidence to the proposed mechanism.     

Influence of carotenoid molecules on the structure of the bacteriochlorophyll binding site in peripheral light-harvesting proteins from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

In the LH2 proteins from Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides, the hydrogen bonds between the bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) molecules and their proteic binding sites exhibit a strong variance with respect to carotenoid content and type. In the absence of the carotenoid molecule, such as in the LH2 from Rb. sphaeroides R26.1, the void in the protein structure induces a significant reorganization of the binding site of both Bchl molecules responsible for the 850 nm absorption, which is not observed when the 800 nm absorbing Bchl is selectively removed from these complexes. FT Raman spectra of LH2 complexes from Rb. sphaeroides show that the strength of the hydrogen bond between the 850 nm absorbing Bchl bound to the alpha polypeptide and the tyrosine alpha(45) depends precisely on the chemical nature of the bound carotenoid. These results suggest that the variable extremity of the carotenoid is embedded in these LH2 complexes, lying close to the interacting Bchl molecules. In the LH2 from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, the equivalent part of the rhodopin glucoside, which bears the glucose group, lies close to the amino terminal of the antenna polypeptide. This contrast suggests that the structure of the carotenoid binding site in LH2 complexes strongly depends on the bacterial species and/or on the chemical nature of the bound carotenoid.     

Presence and significance of minor antenna components in the energy transfer sequence of the green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus

Antenna components in the energy transfer processes of a green photosynthetic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus were spectrally investigated by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy at −196°C on intact cells. Besides major antenna components so far reported, three minor components were resolved; those were Bchl c located at 785 nm, the baseplate Bchl a at 819 nm and Bchl a in the B808-866 complex at 910 nm. The last component was assigned to a longer wavelength antenna closely associated with a reaction center. An additional Bchl c fluorescence component was kinetically suggested to be present, which can be an energy donor to a major Bchl c. Presence of these minor components was signified in terms of (1) increase in the spectral overlap integral and (2) adjustment of the direction of dipole moments in the energy transfer sequence of intact cells.     

Membrane protein stability: high pressure effects on the structure and chromophore-binding properties of the light-harvesting complex LH2

Using the bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl) cofactors as intrinsic probes to monitor changes in membrane protein structure, we investigate the response to high-pressure of the LH2 complexes from the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 and Rhodopseudomonas acidophila 10050. By FT-Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate that high pressure does not induce significant distortion of the protein-bound 850 nm-absorbing bacteriochlorophyll molecules, or break of the hydrogen bond they are involved in. This indicates in particular that the oligomerization of the polypeptides is not perturbed up to 0.6 GPa. The pressure-induced changes in the Bchl absorption spectra are attributed to pigment-pigment interactions. In contrast, the loss of 800 nm-absorbing bacteriochlorophyll reflects pressure-induced alterations to the tertiary structure of the protein in proximity to the membrane/cytosol interface. This suggests that the LH2 protein does have two independent structural domains. The first domain is pressure independent and comprises mostly the C-terminal domain. The second domain located on the N-terminal side exhibits sensitivity to pressure and pH reminiscent of soluble proteins. The LH2 thus constitutes a suitable model system for studying in detail the stability of membrane-embedded hydrophobic helices and helices located at or close to the solvent/membrane interface.     

Excitation dynamics in strongly bounded associates of B800–850 and B800–830 complexes from photosynthetic purple bacterium Thiorhodospira sibirica

Strongly bounded associates of B800–850 (LH2) and B800–830 (LH3) complexes from photosynthetic purple bacterium Thiorhodospira sibirica were investigated. It was shown that associates contain 8–10 complexes (LH2:LH3 ≈ 1:1). Absorption spectra of the monomer LH2 and the monomer LH3 complexes were calculated. Excitation of B800 absorption band of associates results in: (i) intracomplex excitation energy transfer from B800 to B830 or B850 with time constant of about 500 fs; (ii) intercomplex excitation energy transfer from B820 band of LH3 complex to B850 band of LH2 complex with time constant of about 2.5 ps; (iii) excitation deactivation in B850 band of LH2 complex with time constant of about 800 ps. Signal polarization at long-wavelength side of associates absorption spectrum near 900 nm was negative (?0.1). The interaction of LH3 and LH2 complexes in associates is, to some extent, analogous to the interaction of LH2 and LH1 complexes in chromatophores. Time constant of excitation energy transfer between LH3 and LH2 complexes in associates may be regarded as a minimal time constant for energy transfer between the peripheral and core antenna complexes.     

Differentiation of the intracytoplasmic membrane of Rhodopseudomonas palustris induced by variations of oxygen partial pressure or light intensity

The photosynthetic apparatus of Rhodopseudomonas palustris contains, in addition to reaction center bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) two spectral forms of light harvesting (LH) Bchl, i.e. LH Bchl I, characterized by an infrared absorption maximum at 880 nm (890 nm at 77°K) and LH Bchl II absorbing at 805 and 855 nm (805 and 870 nm at 77°K). LH Bchl I seems to be associated with a single protein species of an apparent mol. wt. of 13000 whereas LH Bchl II is apparently associated with two proteins of mol. wts. of 9000 and 11000.Cells in anaerobic cultures adapt to changes of light intensity 1. by variation of the size of the photosynthetic unit, i.e. the molar ratio of LH Bchl II to reaction center Bchl, 2. by variation of the number of photosynthetic units per unit of membrane area, 3. by regulation of the size of the intracytoplasmic membrane system.During adaptation of changes of oxygen partial pressure cells are able to synthesize reaction center Bchl, LH Bchl and intracytoplasmic membranes at different rates. The synthesis of reaction center Bchl and LH Bchl I are, however, coordinated with each other, while the syntheses of LH Bchl II and reaction center Bchl proceed independently.List of Non-Standard Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - ICM mitracytoplasmic membrane - LDAO lauryldimethyl aminoxide - R Rhodopseudomonas - RC reaction center - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate     

Unique Mechanisms of Excitation Energy Transfer, Electron Transfer and Photoisomerization in Biological Systems

We discuss unique mechanisms typical in the elementary processes ofbiological functions. We focus on three topics. Excitation energytransfer in the light-harvesting antenna systems of photosyntheticbacteria is unique in its structure and the energy transfer mechanism. Inthe case of LH2 of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, the B850 intra-ringenergy transfer and the inter-ring energy transfer between B800 and B850take place by the intermediate coupling mechanism of energy transfer. Theexcitonic coherent domain shows a wave-like movement along the ring, andthis property is expected to play a significant role in the inter-ringenergy transfer between LH2's. The electron transfer in biological systemsis mostly long-range electron transfer that occurs by the electrontunneling through the protein media. There is a long-standing problem thatwhich part of protein media is used for the electron tunneling root. As aresult of our detailed analysis, we found that the global electron tunnelingroot is a little winded with a width of a few angstrom, reflecting theproperty of tertiary and secondary structures of the protein and it isaffected by the thermal fluctuation of protein structure. Photoisomerizationof rhodopsin is very unique: The cis-transphotoisomerization ofrhodopsin occurs only around the C11 = C12 bond in the counterclockwisedirection. Its molecular mechanism is resolved by our MD simulation studyusing the structure of rhodopsin which was recently obtained by the X-raycrystallographic analysis.     

The Observation of Ultrafast Excited-state Dynamical Evolution In B800- Partially or Completely Released LH2 of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 601 at Room Temperature

Abstract

Photodynamics of two kinds of peripheral antenna complexes (LU2 of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, native LH2 (RS601) and B800-released LH2 where B800-BChls were partially or completely removed with different pH treatments), were studied using femtosecond pump-probe technique at different laser wavelengths. The obtained results for these samples with different B800/B850 ratios demonstrated that under the excitation around B800 nm, the photoabsorption and photobleaching dynamics were caused by the direct excitation of upper excitonic levels of B850 and excited state of B800 pigments, respectively. Furthermore, the removal of B800 pigments had little effect on the energy transfer processes of B850 interband/intraband transfer.     

Solvation effect of bacteriochlorophyll excitons in light-harvesting complex LH2

We have characterized the influence of the protein environment on the spectral properties of the bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) molecules of the peripheral light-harvesting (or LH2) complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The spectral density functions of the pigments responsible for the 800 and 850 nm electronic transitions were determined from the temperature dependence of the Bchl absorption spectra in different environments (detergent micelles and native membranes). The spectral density function is virtually independent of the hydrophobic support that the protein experiences. The reorganization energy for the B850 Bchls is 220 cm(-1), which is almost twice that of the B800 Bchls, and its Huang-Rhys factor reaches 8.4. Around the transition point temperature, and at higher temperatures, both the static spectral inhomogeneity and the resonance interactions become temperature-dependent. The inhomogeneous distribution function of the transitions exhibits less temperature dependence when LH2 is embedded in membranes, suggesting that the lipid phase protects the protein. However, the temperature dependence of the fluorescence spectra of LH2 cannot be fitted using the same parameters determined from the analysis of the absorption spectra. Correct fitting requires the lowest exciton states to be additionally shifted to the red, suggesting the reorganization of the exciton spectrum.     

The role of chromophore coupling in tuning the spectral properties of peripheral light-harvesting protein of purple bacteria

The publication of a structure for the peripheral light-harvesting complex of a purple photosynthetic bacterium (McDermott et al. (1995), Nature 374: 517–521) provides a framework within which we can begin to understand various functional aspects of these complexes, in particular the relationship between the structure and the red-shift of the bacteriochlorophyll Q_y transition. In this article we describe calculations of some of the spectral properties expected for an array of chromophores with the observed geometry. We report the stability of the calculated absorption spectrum to minor structural alterations, and deduce that the observed red shift of the 850 nm Q_y transition in the B800–850 antenna complexes is about equally attributable to chromophore-chromophore and chromophore-protein interactions, while chromophore-chromophore interactions predominate in generating the red-shift of the 820 nm Q_y transition in B800–820 type peripheral liggt-harvesting complexes. Finally we suggest that the red shift in the absorbance of the monomeric Bchl a found in antenna complexes to 800 nm, from 770 nm as observed in most solvents, is largely attributable to a hydrogen bond with the 2-acetyl group of this chromophore.