Pigment-pigment interactions and energy transfer in the antenna complex of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. 1996

A Freer, and S Prince, and K Sauer, and M Papiz, and A Hawthornthwaite-Lawless, and G McDermott, and R Cogdell, and N W Isaacs
Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, UK.

BACKGROUND Photosynthesis starts with the absorption of solar radiation by antenna pigment molecules. In purple bacteria these chromophores, (bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoid) are embedded in the membrane; they are non-covalently bound to apoproteins which have the ability to modulate the chromophores' absorbing characteristics. The first structure of the bacterial antenna complex from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, strain 10050, shows a ring of nonameric symmetry. Two concentric cylinders of apoproteins enclose the pigment molecules. The current resolution of the structure, to 2.5 A, allows us to begin to explore the mechanism of energy transfer among these pigments. RESULTS The mechanism of energy transfer, from the short- to long-wavelength-absorbing pigments, is largely determined by the relative distances and orientations of the chromophores. In this paper we provide evidence that energy transfer between the B800 and B850 bacteriochlorophylls is largely via Förster induced dipole-dipole resonance. Strong Coulombic (exciton) coupling among the 18 short distanced chromophores in the B850 macrocycle is promoted by good alignment of the Qy dipoles. Singlet-singlet energy transfer from carotenoid to the B800 macrocycle appears to be minimal, with most of the energy transfer going to B850. The higher energy state of both chromophores dominates in more complex situations. CONCLUSIONS The structure of the antenna complex not only shows Nature at its most aesthetic but also illustrates how clever and efficient the energy transfer mechanism has become, with singlet-singlet excitation being passed smoothly down the spectral gradient to the reaction centre.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008958 Models, Molecular Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures. Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D011487 Protein Conformation The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain). Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D002338 Carotenoids The general name for a group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. They are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 4 terpene subunits. Carotenes,Carotenoid,Tetraterpene Derivatives,Tetraterpenes,Carotene,Derivatives, Tetraterpene
D004735 Energy Transfer The transfer of energy of a given form among different scales of motion. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed). It includes the transfer of kinetic energy and the transfer of chemical energy. The transfer of chemical energy from one molecule to another depends on proximity of molecules so it is often used as in techniques to measure distance such as the use of FORSTER RESONANCE ENERGY TRANSFER. Transfer, Energy
D001426 Bacterial Proteins Proteins found in any species of bacterium. Bacterial Gene Products,Bacterial Gene Proteins,Gene Products, Bacterial,Bacterial Gene Product,Bacterial Gene Protein,Bacterial Protein,Gene Product, Bacterial,Gene Protein, Bacterial,Gene Proteins, Bacterial,Protein, Bacterial,Proteins, Bacterial
D001429 Bacteriochlorophylls Pyrrole containing pigments found in photosynthetic bacteria. Bacteriochlorophyll
D012241 Rhodopseudomonas A genus of gram-negative, rod-shaped, phototrophic bacteria found in aquatic environments. Internal photosynthetic membranes are present as lamellae underlying the cytoplasmic membrane.
D045322 Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins Protein complexes that take part in the process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS. They are located within the THYLAKOID MEMBRANES of plant CHLOROPLASTS and a variety of structures in more primitive organisms. There are two major complexes involved in the photosynthetic process called PHOTOSYSTEM I and PHOTOSYSTEM II. Photosynthetic Complex,Photosynthetic Reaction Center,Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Protein,Photosynthetic Complexes,Photosynthetic Reaction Centers,Center, Photosynthetic Reaction,Complex, Photosynthetic,Complexes, Photosynthetic,Reaction Center, Photosynthetic,Reaction Centers, Photosynthetic
D045342 Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes Complexes containing CHLOROPHYLL and other photosensitive molecules. They serve to capture energy in the form of PHOTONS and are generally found as components of the PHOTOSYSTEM I PROTEIN COMPLEX or the PHOTOSYSTEM II PROTEIN COMPLEX. Antenna Complexes, Light-Harvesting,Light-Harvesting Antenna Complexes,Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll Protein,Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll Protein Complexes,Antenna Complexes, Light Harvesting,Chlorophyll Protein, Light-Harvesting,Complexes, Light-Harvesting Antenna,Complexes, Light-Harvesting Protein,Light Harvesting Antenna Complexes,Light Harvesting Chlorophyll Protein,Light Harvesting Chlorophyll Protein Complexes,Light Harvesting Protein Complexes,Protein Complexes, Light-Harvesting

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