Probing the ground state structure of the green fluorescent protein chromophore using Raman spectroscopy

We present Raman spectra, obtained using 752 nm excitation, on wild-type GFP and the S65T mutant of this intrinsically fluorescent protein together with data on a model chromophore, ethyl 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene-2-methyl-5-oxoimidazolacetate . In the pH range 1-14, the model compound has two macroscopic pK(a)s of 1.8 and 8.2 attributed to ionization of the imidazolinone ring nitrogen and the phenolic hydroxyl group, respectively. Comparison of the model chromophore with the chromophore in wild-type GFP and the S65T mutant reveals that the cationic form, with both the imidazolinone ring nitrogen and the phenolic oxygen protonated, is not present in these particular GFP proteins. Our results do not provide any evidence for the zwitterionic form of the chromophore, with the phenolic group deprotonated and the imidazolinone ring nitrogen protonated, being present in the GFP proteins. In addition, since the position of the Raman bands is a property exclusively of the ground state structure, the data enable us to investigate how protein-chromophore interactions affect the ground state structure of the chromophore without contributions from excited state effects. It is found that the ground state structure of the anionic form of the chromophore, which is most relevant to the fluorescent properties, is strongly dependent on the chromophore environment whereas the neutral form seems to be insensitive. A linear correlation between the absorption properties and the ground state structure is demonstrated by plotting the absorption maxima versus the wavenumber of a Raman band found in the range 1610-1655 cm(-1).     

Deletion mapping of the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein

Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a promising fluorescent marker which is active in a diverse array of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. A key feature underlying the versatility of GFP is its capacity to undergo heterocyclic chromophore formation by cyclization of a tripeptide present in its primary sequence and thereby acquiring fluorescent activity in a variety of intracellular environments. In order to define further the primary structure requirements for chromophore formation and fluorescence in GFP, a series of N- and C-terminal GFP deletion variant expression vectors were created using the polymerase chain reaction. Scanning spectrofluorometric analyses of crude soluble protein extracts derived from eleven GFP expression constructs revealed that amino acid (aa) residues 2–232, of a total of 238 aa in the native protein, were required for the characteristic emission and absorption spectra of native GFP. Heterocyclic chromophore formation was assayed by comparing the absorption spectrum of GFP deletion variants over the 300–500-nm range to the absorption spectra of full-length GFP and GFP deletion variants missing the chromophore substrate domain from the primary sequence. GFP deletion variants lacking fluorescent activity showed no evidence of heterocyclic ring structure formation when the soluble extracts of their bacterial expression hosts were studied at pH 7.9. These observations suggest that the primary structure requirements for the fluorescent activity of GFP are relatively extensive and are compatible with the view that much of the primary structure serves an autocatalytic function.     

Structural characterization of a blue chromoprotein and its yellow mutant from the sea anemone Cnidopus japonicus

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its relatives (GFP protein family) have been isolated from marine organisms such as jellyfish and corals that belong to the phylum Cnidaria (stinging aquatic invertebrates). They are intrinsically fluorescent proteins. In search of new members of the family of green fluorescent protein family, we identified a non-fluorescent chromoprotein from the Cnidopus japonicus species of sea anemone that possesses 45% sequence identity to dsRed (a red fluorescent protein). This newly identified blue color protein has an absorbance maximum of 610 nm and is hereafter referred to as cjBlue. Determination of the cjBlue 1.8 A crystal structure revealed a chromophore comprised of Gln(63)-Tyr(64)-Gly(65). The ring stacking between Tyr(64) and His(197) stabilized the cjBlue trans chromophore conformation along the Calpha2-Cbeta2 bond of 5-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]-imidazolinone, which closely resembled that of the "Kindling Fluorescent Protein" and Rtms5. Replacement of Tyr(64) with Leu in wild-type cjBlue produced a visible color change from blue to yellow with a new absorbance maximum of 417 nm. Interestingly, the crystal structure of the yellow mutant Y64L revealed two His(197) imidazole ring orientations, suggesting a flip-flop interconversion between the two conformations in solution. We conclude that the dynamics and structure of the chromophore are both essential for the optical appearance of these color proteins.     

The 2.0-A crystal structure of eqFP611, a far red fluorescent protein from the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor

We have crystallized and subsequently determined to 2.0-A resolution the crystal structure of eqFP611, a far red fluorescent protein from the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. The structure of the protomer, which adopts a beta-can topology, is similar to that of the related monomeric green fluorescent protein (GFP). The quaternary structure of eqFP611, a tetramer exhibiting 222 symmetry, is similar to that observed for the more closely related red fluorescent protein DsRed and the chromoprotein Rtms5. The unique chromophore sequence (Met63-Tyr64-Gly65) of eqFP611, adopts a coplanar and trans conformation within the interior of the beta-can fold. Accordingly, the eqFP611 chromophore adopts a significantly different conformation in comparison to the chromophore conformation observed in GFP, DsRed, and Rtms5. The coplanar chromophore conformation and its immediate environment provide a structural basis for the far red, highly fluorescent nature of eqFP611. The eqFP611 structure extends our knowledge on the range of conformations a chromophore can adopt within closely related members of the green fluorescent protein family.     

The crystal structure of the Y66L variant of green fluorescent protein supports a cyclization-oxidation-dehydration mechanism for chromophore maturation

The crystal structure of a colorless variant of green fluorescent protein (GFP) containing the Y66L substitution has been determined to 1.5 A. Crystallographic evidence is presented for the formation of a trapped intermediate on the pathway of chromophore maturation, where the peptide backbone of residues 65-67 has condensed to form a five-membered heterocyclic ring. The hydroxyl leaving group remains attached to the ring as confirmed by high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. The alpha-carbon of residue 66 exhibits trigonal planar geometry, consistent with ring oxidation by molecular oxygen. Side chain positions of surrounding residues are not perturbed, in contrast to structural results obtained for the GFPsol-S65G/Y66G variant [Barondeau, D. P., Putnam, C. D., Kassmann, C. J., Tainer, J. A., and Getzoff, E. D. (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 12111-12116]. The data are in accord with a reaction pathway in which dehydration is the last of three chemical steps in GFP chromophore formation. A novel mechanism for chromophore biosynthesis is proposed: when the protein folds, the backbone condenses to form a cyclopentyl tetrahedral intermediate. In the second step, the ring is oxidized by molecular oxygen. In the third and final step, elimination of the hydroxyl leaving group as water is coupled to a proton transfer reaction that may proceed via hydrogen-bonded solvent molecules. Replacement of the aromatic Tyr66 with an aliphatic residue appears to have a profound effect on the efficiency of ring dehydration. The proposed mechanism has important implications for understanding the factors that limit the maturation rate of GFP.     

A conserved interaction with the chromophore of fluorescent proteins

The chromophore of fluorescent proteins, including the green fluorescent protein (GFP), contains a highly conjugated imidazolidinone ring. In many fluorescent proteins, the carbonyl group of the imidazolidinone ring engages in a hydrogen bond with the side chain of an arginine residue. Prior studies have indicated that such an electrophilic carbonyl group in a protein often accepts electron density from a main-chain oxygen. A survey of high-resolution structures of fluorescent proteins indicates that electron lone pairs of a main-chain oxygen-Thr62 in GFP-donate electron density into an antibonding orbital of the imidazolidinone carbonyl group. This n→π* electron delocalization prevents structural distortion during chromophore excitation that could otherwise lead to fluorescence quenching. In addition, this interaction is present in on-pathway intermediates leading to the chromophore, and thus could direct its biogenesis. Accordingly, this n→π* interaction merits inclusion in computational and photophysical analyses of the chromophore, and in speculations about the molecular evolution of fluorescent proteins.     

Expression of truncated and fused green fluorescent protein genes and analysis of their properties

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The gas-phase absorption spectrum of a neutral GFP model chromophore

We have studied the gas-phase absorption properties of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore in its neutral (protonated) charge state in a heavy-ion storage ring. To accomplish this we synthesized a new molecular chromophore with a charged NH(3) group attached to a neutral model chromophore of GFP. The gas-phase absorption cross section of this chromophore molecule as a function of the wavelength is compared to the well-known absorption profile of GFP. The chromophore has a maximum absorption at 415 +/- 5 nm. When corrected for the presence of the charged group attached to the GFP model chromophore, the unperturbed neutral chromophore is predicted to have an absorption maximum at 399 nm in vacuum. This is very close to the corresponding absorption peak of the protein at 397 nm. Together with previous data obtained with an anionic GFP model chromophore, the present data show that the absorption of GFP is primarily determined by intrinsic chromophore properties. In other words, there is strong experimental evidence that, in terms of absorption, the conditions in the hydrophobic interior of this protein are very close to those in vacuum.     

zFP538, a yellow-fluorescent protein from Zoanthus, contains a novel three-ring chromophore

Crystal structures of the tetrameric yellow-fluorescent protein zFP538 from the button polyp Zoanthus sp. and a green-emitting mutant (K66M) are presented. The atomic models have been refined at 2.7 and 2.5 A resolution, with final crystallographic R factors of 0.206 (R(free) = 0.255) and 0.190 (R(free) = 0.295), respectively, and have excellent stereochemistry. The fold of the protomer is very similar to that of green (GFP) and red (DsRed) fluorescent proteins; however, evidence from crystallography and mass spectrometry suggests that zFP538 contains a three-ring chromophore derived from that of GFP. The yellow-emitting species (lambda(em)(max) = 538 nm) is proposed to result from a transimination reaction in which a transiently appearing DsRed-like acylimine is attacked by the terminal amino group of lysine 66 to form a new six-membered ring, cleaving the polypeptide backbone at the 65-66 position. This extends the chromophore conjugation by an additional double bond compared to GFP, lowering the absorption and emission frequencies. Substitution of lysine 66 with aspartate or glutamate partially converts zFP538 into a red-fluorescent protein, providing additional support for an acylimine intermediate. The diverse and unexpected roles of the side chain at position 66 give new insight into the chemistry of chromophore maturation in the extended family of GFP-like proteins.     

Mutants of Discosoma red fluorescent protein with a GFP-like chromophore

The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-homologous red fluorescent protein (RFP) from Discosoma (drFP583) which emits bright red fluorescence peaking at 583 nm is an interesting novel genetic marker. We show here that RFP maturation involves a GFP-like fluorophore which can be stabilized by point mutations selected from a randomly mutated expression library. By homology modeling, these point mutations cluster near the imidazolidinone ring of the chromophore. Exciting the GFP-like absorption band in the mutant proteins produces both green and red fluorescence. Upon unfolding and heating, the absorption spectrum of the RFP chromophore slowly becomes similar to that of the GFP chromophore. This can be interpreted as a covalent modification of the GFP chromophore in RFP that appears to occur in the final maturation step.     

The fluorescent monomeric protein Kusabira Orange. Pressure effect on its structure and stability

The structure and stability of the fluorescent protein monomeric Kusabira Orange (mKO), a GFP-like protein, was studied under different pressure levels and in different chemical environments. At different pH values (between pH 7.4 and pH 4.0) and under a pressure up to 600 MPa (at 25 °C), mKO did not show significant fluorescence spectral changes, indicating a structural stability of the protein. In more extreme chemical conditions (at pH 4.0 in the presence of 0.8 M guanidine hydrochloride), a marked reduction of mKO fluorescence intensity emission was observed at pressures above 300 MPa. This fluorescence emission quenching may be due to the loss of the intermolecular bonds and, consequently, to the destructuration of the mKO chromophore structure. Since the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions as well as the salt bridges present in proteins are usually perturbed under high pressure, the reduction of mKO fluorescence intensity emission is associated to the perturbation of the protein salt bridges network.     

Understanding GFP chromophore biosynthesis: controlling backbone cyclization and modifying post-translational chemistry

The Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) undergoes a remarkable post-translational modification to create a chromophore out of its component amino acids S65, Y66, and G67. Here, we describe mutational experiments in GFP designed to convert this chromophore into a 4-methylidene-imidazole-5-one (MIO) moiety similar to the post-translational active-site electrophile of histidine ammonia lyase (HAL). Crystallographic structures of GFP variant S65A Y66S (GFPhal) and of four additional related site-directed mutants reveal an aromatic MIO moiety and mechanistic details of GFP chromophore formation and MIO biosynthesis. Specifically, the GFP scaffold promotes backbone cyclization by (1) favoring nucleophilic attack by close proximity alignment of the G67 amide lone pair with the pi orbital of the residue 65 carbonyl and (2) removing enthalpic barriers by eliminating inhibitory main-chain hydrogen bonds in the precursor state. GFP R96 appears to induce structural rearrangements important in aligning the molecular orbitals for ring cyclization, favor G67 nitrogen deprotonation through electrostatic interactions with the Y66 carbonyl, and stabilize the reduced enolate intermediate. Our structures and analysis also highlight negative design features of the wild-type GFP architecture, which favor chromophore formation by destabilizing alternative conformations of the chromophore tripeptide. By providing a molecular basis for understanding and controlling the driving force and protein chemistry of chromophore creation, this research has implications for expansion of the genetic code through engineering of modified amino acids.     

Three-dimensional structure of yellow fluorescent protein zYFP538 from Zoanthus sp. at the resolution 1.8 angstrom

The three-dimensional structure of yellow fluorescent proteins zYFP538 (zFP538) from the button polyp Zoanthus sp. was determined at a resolution of 1.8 angstrom by X-ray analysis. The monomer of zYFP538 adopts a structure characteristic of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family, a beta-barrel formed from 11 antiparallel beta segments and one internal alpha helix with a chromophore embedded into it. Like the TurboGFP, the beta-barrel of zYFP538 contains a water-filled pore leading to the chromophore Tyr67 residue, which presumably provides access of molecular oxygen necessary for the maturation process. The post-translational modification of the chromophore-forming triad Lys66-Tyr67-Gly68 results in a tricyclic structure consisting of a five-membered imidazolinone ring, a phenol ring of the Tyr67 residue, and an additional six-membered tetrahydropyridine ring. The chromophore formation is completed by cleavage of the protein backbone at the Calpha-N bond of Lys66. It was suggested that the energy conflict between the buried positive charge of the intact Lys66 side chain in the hydrophobic pocket formed by the Ile44, Leu46, Phe65, Leu204 and Leu219 side chains is the most probable trigger that induces the transformation of the bicyclic green form to the tricyclic yellow form. A stereochemical analysis of the contacting surfaces at the intratetramer interfaces helped reveal a group of conserved key residues responsible for the oligomerization. Along with others, these residues should be taken into account in designing monomeric forms suitable for practical application as markers of proteins and cell organelles.     

Variations on the GFP chromophore: A polypeptide fragmentation within the chromophore revealed in the 2.1-A crystal structure of a nonfluorescent chromoprotein from Anemonia sulcata

We have determined to 2.1 A resolution the crystal structure of a dark state, kindling fluorescent protein isolated from the sea anemone, Anemonia sulcata. The chromophore sequence Met(63)-Tyr(64)-Gly(65) of the A. sulcata chromoprotein was previously proposed to comprise a 6-membered pyrazine-type heterocycle (Martynov, V. I., Savitsky, A. P., Martynova, N. Y., Savitsky, P. A., Lukyanov, K. A., and Lukyanov, S. A. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 21012-21016). However, our crystallographic data revealed the chromophore to comprise a 5-membered p-hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone moiety that adopts a non-coplanar trans conformation within the interior of the GFP beta-can fold. Unexpectedly, fragmentation of the polypeptide was found to occur within the chromophore moiety, at the bond between Cys(62C) and Met(63N1.) Our structural data reveal that fragmentation of the chromophore represents an intrinsic, autocatalytic step toward the formation of the mature chromophore within the specific GFP-like proteins.     

The 2.1A crystal structure of the far-red fluorescent protein HcRed: inherent conformational flexibility of the chromophore

We have determined the crystal structure of HcRed, a far-red fluorescent protein isolated from Heteractis crispa, to 2.1A resolution. HcRed was observed to form a dimer, in contrast to the monomeric form of green fluorescent protein (GFP) or the tetrameric forms of the GFP-like proteins (eqFP611, Rtms5 and DsRed). Unlike the well-defined chromophore conformation observed in GFP and the GFP-like proteins, the HcRed chromophore was observed to be considerably mobile. Within the HcRed structure, the cyclic tripeptide chromophore, Glu(64)-Tyr(65)-Gly(66), was observed to adopt both a cis coplanar and a trans non-coplanar conformation. As a result of these two conformations, the hydroxyphenyl moiety of the chromophore makes distinct interactions within the interior of the beta-can. These data together with a quantum chemical model of the chromophore, suggest the cis coplanar conformation to be consistent with the fluorescent properties of HcRed, and the trans non-coplanar conformation to be consistent with non-fluorescent properties of hcCP, the chromoprotein parent of HcRed. Moreover, within the GFP-like family, it appears that where conformational freedom is permissible then flexibility in the chromophore conformation is possible.     

zFP538, a yellow fluorescent protein from coral, belongs to the DsRed subfamily of GFP-like proteins but possesses the unexpected site of fragmentation

The yellow fluorescent protein (zFP538) from coral Zoanthus sp. belongs to a family of green fluorescent protein (GFP). Absorption and emission spectra of zFP538 show an intermediate bathochromic shift as compared with a number of recently cloned GFP-like red fluorescent and nonfluorescent chromoproteins of the DsRed subfamily. Here we report that the zFP538 chromophore is very close, if not identical, in chemical structure to that of DsRed. To gain insight into the mechanism of zFP538 fluorescence and chromophore structure and chemistry, we studied three chromophore-containing peptides isolated from enzymatic digests of zFP538. Like GFP and DsRed chromophores, these contain a p-hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone moiety formed by Lys-66, Tyr-67, and Gly-68 of zFP538. One of the peptides studied, the hexapeptide FKYGDR derivative, is a proteolysis product of the zFP538 full-length polypeptide containing a GFP-type chromophore already formed and arrested at an earlier stage of maturation. The two other peptides are the derivatives of the pentapeptide KYGDR resulted from the protein in which the chromophore maturation process had been completed. One of these has an oxogroup at Lys-66 C(alpha) and is a hydrolysis product of another one, with the imino group at Lys-66 C(alpha). The N-unsubstituted imino moiety of the latter is generated by spontaneous polypeptide chain fragmentation at a very unexpected site, the former peptide bond between Phe-65 C' and Lys-66 N(alpha). Also observed in the entire protein under mild denaturing conditions, this fragmentation is likely the feature of native zFP538 chromophore that distinguishes it chemically from the DsRed chromophore.     

Photo-induced peptide cleavage in the green-to-red conversion of a fluorescent protein

Green fluorescent protein from the jellyfish (Aequorea GFP) and GFP-like proteins from coral species encode light-absorbing chromophores within their protein sequences. A coral fluorescent protein, Kaede, contains a tripeptide, His(62)-Tyr(63)-Gly(64), which acts as a green chromophore that is photoconverted to red. Here, we present the structural basis for the green-to-red photoconversion. As in Aequorea GFP, a chromophore, 4-(p-hydroxybenzylidene)-5-imidazolinone, derived from the tripeptide mediates green fluorescence in Kaede. UV irradiation causes an unconventional cleavage within Kaede protein between the amide nitrogen and the alpha carbon (Calpha) at His(62) via a formal beta-elimination reaction, which requires the whole, intact protein for its catalysis. The subsequent formation of a double bond between His(62)-Calpha and -Cbeta extends the pi-conjugation to the imidazole ring of His(62), creating a new red-emitting chromophore, 2-[(1E)-2-(5-imidazolyl)ethenyl]-4-(p-hydroxybenzylidene)-5-imidazolinone. The present study not only reveals diversity in the chemical structure of fluorescent proteins but also adds a new dimension to posttranslational modification mechanisms.     

Oxidative chemistry in the GFP active site leads to covalent cross-linking of a modified leucine side chain with a histidine imidazole: implications for the mechanism of chromophore formation

The mechanism of chromophore biosynthesis in green fluorescent protein (GFP) is triggered by a spontaneous main chain cyclization reaction of residues 65-67. Here, we demonstrate that the initially colorless Y66L variant, designed to trap chromophore precursor states, is oxidatively modified to generate yellow chromophores that absorb at 412 and 374 nm. High- and low-pH crystal structures determined to 2.0 and 1.5 A resolution, respectively, are consistent with pi-orbital conjugation of a planar Leu66-derived adduct with the imidazolinone ring, which is approximately 90 and 100% dehydrated, respectively. Time-, base-, and oxygen-dependent optical properties suggest that the yellow chromophores are generated from a 338 nm-absorbing intermediate, interpreted to be the Y66L analogue of the wild-type GFP chromophore. Generation of this species is catalyzed by a general base such as formate, and proceeds via a cyclization-oxidation-dehydration mechanism. The data suggest that a hydration-dehydration equilibrium exists in the cyclic form of the peptide, and that dehydration is favored upon extensive conjugation with the modified side chain. We conclude that the mechanism of GFP chromophore biosynthesis is not driven by the aromatic character of residue 66. In the low-pH X-ray structure, a highly unusual cross-link is observed between His148 and the oxidized Leu66 side chain, suggesting a conjugate addition reaction of the imidazole nitrogen to the highly electrophilic diene group of the yellow chromophore. The reactivity described here further expands the chemical diversity observed in the active site of GFP-like proteins, and may allow for covalent attachment of functional groups to the protein scaffold for catalytic purposes.     

Differential dependence on oxygen tension during the maturation process between monomeric Kusabira Orange 2 and monomeric Azami Green expressed in HeLa cells

Although oxygen is required for functional chromophore formation during the maturation process of fluorescent proteins, the effects of hypoxia on their fluorescence have rarely been studied in mammalian cells. We recently reported that severe hypoxia (pO(2)<0.1%) abrogates fluorescence from the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) expressed in HeLa cells. Fucci is a system for visualizing cell cycle progression in live cells using red (monomeric Kusabira Orange 2, mKO(2)) and green (monomeric Azami Green, mAG) fluorescent proteins. In this study, taking advantage of the system, we attempted to determine the dependence on oxygen tension (pO(2)) of these two fluorescent proteins during the maturation process. The oxygen tension at which the number of fluorescence-positive cells was reduced by 50% (pO(2)·50) was 0.9% and 0.3% for mKO2 and mAG, respectively. Furthermore, we measured fluorescence recovery kinetics after reoxygenation in cells treated at two different pO(2) levels, and observed that mKO2 exhibits slower kinetics of oxidation than mAG. Thus, we demonstrate that mKO2 exhibits a stronger dependence on oxygen tension than mAG, as well as the usefulness of this novel method to produce varying levels of hypoxic conditions.     

Crystallographic structures of Discosoma red fluorescent protein with immature and mature chromophores: linking peptide bond trans-cis isomerization and acylimine formation in chromophore maturation

The mature self-synthesizing p-hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone-like fluorophores of Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed) and Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) are extensively studied as powerful biological markers. Yet, the spontaneous formation of these fluorophores by cyclization, oxidation, and dehydration reactions of tripeptides within their protein environment remains incompletely understood. The mature DsRed fluorophore (Gln 66, Tyr 67, and Gly 68) differs from the GFP fluorophore by an acylimine that results in Gln 66 Calpha planar geometry and by a Phe 65-Gln 66 cis peptide bond. DsRed green-to-red maturation includes a green-fluorescing immature chromophore and requires a chromophore peptide bond trans-cis isomerization that is slow and incomplete. To clarify the unique structural chemistry for the individual immature "green" and mature "red" chromophores of DsRed, we report here the determination and analysis of crystal structures for the wild-type protein (1.4 A resolution), the entirely green DsRed K70M mutant protein (1.9 A resolution), and the DsRed designed mutant Q66M (1.9 A resolution), which shows increased red chromophore relative to the wild-type DsRed. Whereas the mature, red-fluorescing chromophore has the expected cis peptide bond and a sp(2)-hybridized Gln 66 Calpha with planar geometry, the crystal structure of the immature green-fluorescing chromophore of DsRed, presented here for the first time, reveals a trans peptide bond and a sp(3)-hybridized Gln 66 Calpha with tetrahedral geometry. These results characterize a GFP-like immature green DsRed chromophore structure, reveal distinct mature and immature chromophore environments, and furthermore provide evidence for the coupling of acylimine formation with trans-cis isomerization.