TRIPLET STATES OF ISOMERS OF THE C15-ALDEHYDE AND THE C18-KETONE: LOWER HOMOLOGUES OF RETINAL

Abstract— Triplet extinction coefficients, singlettriplet intersystem crossing yields and triplet state kinetic data of all- trans , 7- cis , 9- cis , 7, 9- dicis isomers of the C₁₅-aldehyde and the C₁₈-ketone. lower homologues of retinal, have been determined in hexane using the methods of laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis.     

BLEACHING OF PURPLE MEMBRANE WITH O-SUBSTITUTED HYDROXYLAMINES

Abstract The retinal Schiff base of bacteriorhodopsin, in the purple membrane from Halobacterium halobium , can be cleaved by hydroxylamine in the presence of light. We have further investigated this reaction with a series of O -substituted hydroxylamines, RONH₂, where R = -H (HA), -CH₃ (MHA), -SO₃− (HAS), benzyl- (BHA), p -nitrobenzyl- (NBHA), and pentafluorobenzyl- (FBHA). All except MHA caused light-induced bleaching of the purple membrane and the chromophore could be regenerated from apomembrane and all- trans retinal. Relative bleaching rate constants were obtained from V = QI _a k ₀ X /( k _r+ k ₀ X ), where V = bleaching rate, Q = quantum yield, I a = absorbed light intensity, X = hydroxylamine concentration, k ₀= rate constant for bleaching and k _r= rate constant for return of photoexcited bacteriorhodopsin to the initial state. This equation fits the time-, concentration- and intensity-dependences of the bleaching reactions in 0.02 M phosphate, pH 7.0. The rate constants k ₀ relative to HA were: MHA: 0; HAS: 0.3; HA: 1.0; BHA: 1.8; FBHA: 10.1; NBHA: 10.8. The relative rate constants do not correlate with the basicity of the derivatives. Instead, the results suggest that the retinal Schiff base is near a non-polar cavity into which an aromatic group can be inserted.     

A HIGHLY REACTIVE HETEROATOM ANALOG OF RETINAL AND ITS INTERACTION WITH BACTERIORHODOPSIN

Abstract— C₁₈ formate ester (5) [2-(6-methyl-8-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3E,5E,7E-octatrienyl formate], a highly reactive analog of retinal, was synthesized and its interaction with bacterioopsin studied. The formate ester, in the absence of purple or bleached membrane, undergoes very rapid reaction (t_l/2= 0.9 min) in neutral buffer but with membrane present it diffuses more rapidly into the membrane where it reacts slowly. Incorporation of 5 in the membrane results in a 38 nm (3900 cm^-1) red shift which remains after reconstitution with retinal. Similar experiments with the corresponding C₁₈ alcohol (4) results in a red shift, but this absorption blue shifts upon reconstitution with retinal. Washing the formate ester-treated membrane with bovine serum albumin or the corresponding lyophilized preparation with hexane, treatments that remove retinal oxime, fails to remove the UV-visible absorption, suggesting that a covalent bond between the C₁₈ moiety and a nucleophilic group of the protein has probably formed.     

TIME-RESOLVED RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTRA OF THE PHOTOCYCLE INTERMEDIATES OF ACID AND DEIONIZED BACTERIORHODOPSIN

Abstract— The photocycle of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and its perturbed forms are investigated by a time-resolved resonance Raman study. These experiments were performed in the C=C stretching and in the fingerprint spectral regions for the acid blue, acid purple and deionized forms of bR.
The main observations are as follows: (1) isomerization of the retinal, from all- trans to 13- cis , occurs in native bR and in all of the acid and deionized perturbed bR species; (2) formation of the early intermediates (the K₆₁₀ and L₅₅₀ analogues) also occur in native bR and in all of the perturbed species; and (3) deprotonation of the protonated Schiff base (PSB), to give the M₄₁₂ type intermediate, occurs in native bR, but is inhibited in all of the perturbed bR species on the time-scale of the native bR photocycle.
The results show that isomerization alone is not a prerequisite for the PSB deprotonation process. The observed photocycle, initiated with retinal isomerization, is found to occur from all- trans to 13- cis in all of the perturbed forms of bR. In addition, the results imply that removal of the cations, of an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration, prevent only the PSB deprotonation process and not the formation of earlier cycle intermediates. Some attention is focused on the two blue forms of bR (acid and deionized) due to the fact that their ground-state absorption maximum, unphotolyzed Raman spectra, and Raman spectra changes during the photocycle are all very similar. The similarities between the acid blue and deionized blue forms in the fingerprint region support previous suggestions that both blue species have nearly the same retinal active site.     

A HIGHLY REACTIVE HETEROATOM ANALOG OF RETINAL AND ITS INTERACTION WITH BACTERIORHODOPSIN

Abstract
C₁₈ formate ester (5) [2-(6-methyl-8-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3E,5E,7E-octatrienyl formate], a highly reactive analog of retinal, was synthesized and its interaction with bacterioopsin studied. The formate ester, in the absence of purple or bleached membrane, undergoes very rapid reaction (t_l/2= 0.9 min) in neutral buffer but with membrane present it diffuses more rapidly into the membrane where it reacts slowly. Incorporation of 5 in the membrane results in a 38 nm (3900 cm^-1) red shift which remains after reconstitution with retinal. Similar experiments with the corresponding C₁₈ alcohol (4) results in a red shift, but this absorption blue shifts upon reconstitution with retinal. Washing the formate ester-treated membrane with bovine serum albumin or the corresponding lyophilized preparation with hexane, treatments that remove retinal oxime, fails to remove the UV-visible absorption, suggesting that a covalent bond between the C₁₈ moiety and a nucleophilic group of the protein has probably formed.     

TRIPLET STATES AND cis-trans PHOTOISOMERIZATION PROCESSES IN THE SCHIFF BASES OF RETINAL ISOMERS

Abstract —The triplet states of the n -butyl-amine Schiff bases of 11- cis , 9- cis , 13- cis and all- trans retinal are produced via triplet-triplet energy transfer. Their absorption spectra, peaking around 435 nm, and their decay kinetics are recorded using pulsed-laser photolysis. Direct-excitation (φ^D_ISO) and triplet-sensitized (φ^T_ISO) photoisomerization yields, determined using steady irradiation methods, are found to be: φ^T_ISO (9- cis ) = 0.06, φ^T_ISO (11- cis ) = 045, φ^T_ISO (13- cis ) = 008, φ^T_ISO (all- trans ) = 0.02-0.05, φ^D_ISO (11- cis , = (4 ± 1) × 10^-3, φ^D_ISO (all- trans ) = (2 ± 1) × 10^-3. The possible role of the triplet state in the isomerization of rhodospin is discussed.     

TWENTY-TWO CARBON HOMOLOGUE OF 11-CIS RETINAL. PHOTOPHYSICAL AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract— Results concerning absorption-emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yields at 77 and 298K. triplet absorption spectra, and quantum yields of intersystem crossing and photoisomerization at 298 K, are presented for 11- cis β-apo-14'-carotenal (C₂₂-Ald), the immediate higher homologue of 11- cis retinal. The absorption spectra are characterized by two band-systems with maxima at 390–400 and 270–280 nm, respectively. Upon cooling from 298 to 77 K, the intensities of these two band-systems undergo changes in opposite directions indicating 12-s- cis: 12- s-trans conformational changes. No intermediate band-system analogous to the one located at 270–310 nm in cis retinals is observed for 11- cis C₂₂-Ald. In nonpolar hydrocarbon solvents (e. g. cyclohexane) at room temperature, quantum yields of fluorescence (0.01), intersystem crossing (0.6) and photoisomerization (0.4) are all quite pronounced. The photophysical and photochemical properties of 11- cis C₂₂-Ald are discussed in the light of similarities and dissimilarities with those of all- trans C₂₂-Ald and 11- cis retinal under comparable conditions.     

A Resonance Raman Study Of the C=C Stretch Modes in Bovine and Octopus Visual Pigments with Isotopically Labeled Retinal Chromophores

Abstract— Previous resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of bovine and octopus rhodopsin and bathorhodopsin in the C–C stretch fingerprint region have shown drastically different spectral patterns, which suggest different chromophore-protein interactions. We have extended our resonance Raman studies of bovine and octopus pigments to the C=C stretch region in order to reveal a more detailed picture about the difference in retinal-protein interactions between these two pigments. The C=C stretch motions of the protonated retinal Schiff base are strongly coupled to form highly delocalized ethylenic modes located in the 1500 to 1650 cm⁻¹ spectral region. In order to decouple these vibrations, a series of 11,12-D₂-labeled retinals, with additional 13C labeling at C₈, C₁₀, C₁₁ and C₁₄, respectively, are used to determine the difference of specific C=C stretch modes between bovine and octopus pigments. Our results show that the C₉=C₁₀ and C₁₃=C₁₄ stretch mode are about 20 cm⁻¹ lower in the Raman spectrum of octopus bathorhodopsin than in bovine bathorhodopsin, while the other C=C stretch modes in these two bathorhodopsins are similar. In contrast, only the C₉=C₁₀ stretch mode in octopus rhodopsin is about 10 cm⁻¹ lower than in bovine rhodopsin, while other C=C stretches are similar.     

COMPARISON OF THE PATHWAYS AND QUANTUM YIELDS OF DIRECT PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF UNPROTONATED AND PROTONATED N-BUTYLAMINE SCHIFF BASES OF ISOMERIC RETINYLIDENEACETALDEHYDE WITH THOSE OF SCHIFF BASES OF ISOMERIC RETINAL: RATIONALIZATION OF THE SELECTION OF THE RETINYLIDENE CHROMOPHORE BY RETINOCHROME

Abstract— The pathways and quantum yields of direct photoisomerization of unprotonated and pro-tonated n-butylamine Schiff bases (SB and PSB) of isomeric retinylideneacetaldehyde (C22 aldehyde) were determined in n-hexane, acetonitrile and methanol for the former and in acetonitrile and methanol for the latter. The results are compared with those of the Schiff bases of isomeric retinal (C20 SB and C20 PSB) reported previously (Koyama et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 54 , 433–443, 1991). The isomerization pathways and quantum yields of C22 SB are more or less similar to those of C20 SB, but conspicuous differences in the isomerization pathways are found between C22 PSB and C20 PSB. The homogeneous (exclusive) isomerization of the retinylidene chromophore from all-trum to 11-cis in retinochrome is rationalized not by C22 PSB but by C20 PSB.
Almost complete one-way isomerization from cis to trans of C22 SB (in n-hexane) is ascribed to isomerization via the T₁ state, while mutual isomeritation between cis and tram of C22 PSB is ascribed to isomerization via the S₁ (B_u) state. The T_I potential of C22 SB and the S₁ potential of C22 PSB are discussed based on photostationary state compositions.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF THE INTERSYSTEM CROSSING EFFICIENCY FOR RETINAL ISOMERS

Abstract— The quantum efficiencies of intersystem crossing (_ISC) fur four isomers of retinal, the all- trans , 9- cis , 11- cis and 13- cis , have been measured using both 265 nm and 353 nm excitation. The values for the all- trans and 9- cis isomers are independent of the excitation wavelength but the values for the 11- cis and 13- cis isomers show a marked increase in the efficiency of ISC for 353 nm excitation compared with the 265 nm excitation.     

LIGHT INDUCED ISOMERISATION, AT ACIDIC pH, INITIATES HYDROLYSIS OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN TO BACTERIO-OPSIN AND 9-CIS-RETINAL

Abstract— Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) from the purple membrane of Haiobacterium halobium contains covalently bound retinal in the 13- cis and all- trans configurations. Several forms of bacteriorhodopsin are known, with different absorption maxima which are designated as BRλ_max (nm). At acidic pH, BR605 is formed from BR560. The following sequence of reactions was found, which is initiated by irradiation of BR605 with red light:

An all- trans /13- cis to 9- cis isomerisation occurs in the light induced reaction BR605 ∼ BR500. BR500 seems to contain covalently bound retinal, whereas BR390 contains free retinal. By irradiation with light, BR500, BR450 and BR390 can be reconverted to BR560.     

POLARIZED UV-ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF RETINAL ISOMERS—II. ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE LOW AND HIGH ENERGY ABSORPTION BANDS

Abstract The polarized UV-absorption spectra of all- trans retinal and both crystal forms of 11- cis , 12-s- cis retinal (presented in the previous paper, Part I) are analyzed using Lowry-Hudson functions to describe the band profiles. The polarization ratios of the polarized bands is used to determine the direction of the corresponding transition moments. For all- trans retinal the polarization spectra show that the absorption between 23 and 36 X 10³ cm⁻¹ is caused by three overlapping bands labeled S, A and B. For 11- cis retinal the B-band is also clearly resolved whereas the S and A bands are separated with much less certainty than for all- trans retinal.
Comparing these bands with the excited state manifold resulting from semiempirical CI-calculations including double excitations, the S-band could be assigned to the ¹A_g⁻→¹A_g-* and the A-band to the ¹A_g⁻→¹B_u+* transition. However, no transition is found in this manifold which could positively be assigned to the B-band because the transitions predicted in this spectral region have negligible oscillator strengths. In all the crystal spectra a further band C is observed around 39 X 10³ cm⁻¹ which is particularly pronounced in the case of 11- cis retinal. For this band an assignment to the ¹A_g⁻→¹A_g+*-transition is proposed.     

THE ORIGIN OF THE RED-SHIFTED ABSORPTION MAXIMUM OF THE M412 INTERMEDIATE IN THE BACTERIORHODOPSIN PHOTOCYCLE

The factors that red shift the absorption maximum of the retinal Schiff base chromophore in the M₄₁₂ intermediate of bacteriorhodopsin photocycle relative to absorption in solution were investigated using a series of artificial pigments and studies of model compounds in solution. The artificial pigments derived from retinal analogs that perturb chromophore-protein interactions in the vicinity of the ring moiety indicate that a considerable part of the red shift may originate from interactions in the vicinity of the Schiff base linkage. Studies with model compounds revealed that hydrogen bonding to the Schiff base moiety can significantly red shift the absorption maximum. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that although s-trans ring-chain planarity prevails in the M₄₁₂ intermediate it does not contribute significantly (only ca 750 cm⁻¹) to the opsin shift observed in M₄₁₂. It is suggested that in M₄₁₂, the Schiff base linkage is hydrogen bonded to bound water and/or protein residues inducing a considerable red shift in the absorption maximum of the retinal chromophore.     

REGENERATION OF BLUE AND PURPLE MEMBRANES FROM DEIONIZED BLEACHED MEMBRANES OF Halobacterium halobium

Abstract— Bleached purple membrane normally binds Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, which can be removed by the divalent cation chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Regeneration of pigments from EDTA-treated bleached membrane (apomembrane) and retinal leads to the formation of blue membrane at pH 4.8, and purple membrane at neutral pH. The pigments take much longer to regenerate than with un-deionized apoprotein. Adding back cations to the deionized apomembrane only partially speeds up the regeneration process. Like native purple membrane, the regenerated purple membrane also undergoes a photocycle and shows a light-induced proton release and uptake, although with much slower kinetics than the native species. Thus, cations control the kinetics of pigment regeneration, and also some aspects of the pigment's conformation which controls the photocycle kinetics. The removal and replacement of the cations is not completely reversible, suggesting the cations are not merely bound in the double layer.     

PREPARATION AND PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF PORPHYRIN-C60 DYADS

Abstract Porphyrin-C₆₀ dyads in which the two chromophores are linked by a bicyclic bridge have been synthesized using the Diels-Alder reaction. The porphyin singlet lifetimes of both the zinc (Pz_n-C₆₀) and free base (P-C₆₀) dyads, determined by time-resolved fluorescence measurements, are ≦17 ps in toluene. This substantial quenching is due to singlet-singlet energy transfer to C₆₀ The lifetime of Pzn-¹C₆₀ is -5 ps in toluene, whereas the singlet lifetime of an appropriate C₆₀ model compound is 1.2 ns. This quenching is attributed to electron transfer to yield P_zn^bull;+-C₆₀^bull;-. In toluene, P-¹C₆₀ is unquenched; the lack of electron transfer is due to unfavorable thermodynamics. In this solvent, a transient state with an absorption maximum at 700 ran and a lifetime of-10 μs was detected using transient absorption methods. This state was quenched by oxygen, and is assigned to the C₆₀ triplet. In the more polar benzonitrile, P-¹C₆₀ underoes photoinduced electron transfer to give P^•+-C₆₀^bull;-. The electron transfer rate constant is −2 × 10¹¹ s⁻¹.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL cis/trans ISOMERIZATION OF AN AMPHIPHILIC MEROCYANINE DYE IN HOMOGENEOUS SOLUTION AND REVERSED MICELLES

Abstract— In the present study, the photochemical cis⇌trans isomerization of the amphiphilic merocy-anine dye (4-hydroxy-l-cetyl stilbazolium betaine C₁₆M) is reported. The structure of each isomer is established from high resolution FT ¹H-NMR analysis. The photochemical quantum yields φ_t→c, and φ_c→t are determined in methanol and in reversed micelles of the system (CDBA, benzene, water). The quantum yield φ_c→t increases in reversed micelles compared to that in methanol. The reverse results are obtained for φ_t→c. The micellar effect on the photochemical trans→cis isomerization will be discussed.     

THE EFFECT OF IONIC STRENGTH AND pH ON THE PROTONATED SCHIFF BASE AND TYROSINE DEPROTONATION KINETICS DURING THE BACTERIORHODOPSIN PHOTOCYCLE

Abstract— The deprotonation kinetics of tyrosine and the protonated Schiff base during the bacteriorho-dopsin photocycle were studied under different perturbations by transient absorption spectroscop Native purple membrane, as well as samples which were deionized (blue) then restored with Na⁺ or La³⁺ were used at pH's ranging from 7 to 10 at very low salt concentrations. The results were compared with previous studies at higher ionic strength. The important conclusions can be summarized as follows: (a) The rate constants of both the Schiff base and tyrosine deprotonation are not very sensitive to the changes of conditions. (b) An almost linear relationship is observed between the relative amplitudes of the tyrosine deprotonated during the cycle and the slow component of the Schiff base deprotonation under the different perturbations studied. This was taken to support the two site model for the protonated Schiff base, one near tyrosine and the other near its ionized form. (c) The pK_a value determined from the ratio of the amplitude of the fast to the slow component of the Schiff base deprotonation is found to decrease with increasing ionic strength of the medium. At extremely low ionic strength, it was found to equal that of the tyrosine phenolic group in solution.     

THEORY OF THE OPTICAL ABSORPTION OF LIGHT-ADAPTED BACTERIORHODOPSIN AND ITS ACIDIFIED FORMS

Abstract— We assume a model for bacteriorhodopsin chromophore such that the protonated retinal Schiff-base (PRSB) interacts with two anions in the case of light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin (bR^L), while it does with one anion in the case of the acidified form of bacteriorhodopsin (bR^acid₆₀₀). On the basis of this model, the π-electronic states of all- trans -PRSB are calculated according to our LCAO-ASMO-SCF-CI method, the anions being approximated by negative point-charges in the plane of PRSB π-system. A possible distribution of the negative point-charges around PRSB is proposed for the chromophores of bR^L, bR^acid₆₀₀, and the two irradiated forms of bR^acid₆₀₀ (the one at 3°C containing 9- cis -PRSB, and the other at — 72°C all- trans -PRSB). It is shown that the wavelength λ_max of absorption maximum observed for each form of bacteriorhodopsin can be explained reasonably well by the suggested charge distribution. Furthermore, a model for the structure of the active site of bR^L is proposed, considering that two COO⁻ groups form the anions that interact with PRSB. The calculated optical absorption of all- trans -PRSB at such a site is shown to be consistent with the observed absorption spectrum of bR^L.     

Rhodopsin regeneration is accelerated via noncovalent 11-cis retinal-opsin complex--a role of retinal binding pocket of opsin

The regeneration of bovine rhodopsin from its apoprotein opsin and the prosthetic group 11-cis retinal involves the formation of a retinylidene Schiff base with the epsilon-amino group of the active lysine residue of opsin. The pH dependence of a Schiff base formation in solution follows a typical bell-shaped profile because of the pH dependence of the formation and the following dehydration of a 1-aminoethanol intermediate. Unexpectedly, however, we find that the formation of rhodopsin from 11-cis retinal and opsin does not depend on pH over a wide pH range. These results are interpreted by the Matsumoto and Yoshizawa (Nature 258 [1975] 523) model of rhodopsin regeneration in which the 11-cis retinal chromophore binds first to opsin through the beta-ionone ring, followed by the slow formation of the retinylidene Schiff base in a restricted space. We find the second-order rate constant of the rhodopsin formation is 6100+/-300 mol(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C over the pH range 5-10. The second-order rate constant is much greater than that of a model Schiff base in solution by a factor of more than 10(7). A previous report by Pajares and Rando (J Biol Chem 264 [1989] 6804) suggests that the lysyl epsilon-NH(2) group of opsin is protonated when the beta-ionone ring binding site is unoccupied. The acceleration of the Schiff base formation in rhodopsin is explained by stabilization of the deprotonated form of the lysyl epsilon-NH(2) group which might be induced when the beta-ionone ring binding site is occupied through the noncovalent binding of 11-cis retinal to opsin at the initial stage of rhodopsin regeneration, followed by the proximity and orientation effect rendered by the formation of noncovalent 11-cis retinal-opsin complex.     

Cis-UROCANIC ACID SYNERGIZES WITH HISTAMINE FOR INCREASED PGE2 PRODUCTION BY HUMAN KERATINOCYTES: LINK TO INDOMETHACIN-INHIBITABLE UVB-INDUCED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

Abstract— There is considerable evidence that suppression of the immune system by UVB (280–320 nm UV) irradiation is initiated by UVB-dependent isomerization of a specific skin photoreceptor, urocanic acid (UCA), from the trans to the cis form. Previous studies have confirmed that cis -UCA administration to mice 3–5 days prior to hapten sensitization at a distant site, suppresses the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response upon challenge. This study demonstrates in mice that cis -UCA, like UVB, suppresses CHS to trinitrochlorobenzene by a mechanism partly dependent on prostanoid production. In vitro experimentation showed that human keratinocytes, isolated from neonatal foreskin, increased prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in response to histamine but not UCA alone. However, cis -UCA synergized with histamine for increased PGE₂ production by keratinocytes. cis -urocanic acid also increased the sensitivity of keratinocytes for PGE₂ production in response to histamine. Prostaglandin E₂ from keratinocytes exposed to cis -UCA and histamine may contribute directly, or indirectly, to the regulation of CHS responses by UVB irradiation.