Excitation wavelength dependence of primary charge separation in reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The excitation wavelength dependence of the initial electron transfer rate in both wild type and mutant reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides has been studied between 840 and 920 nm as a function of temperature (10-295 K). The dynamics of primary charge separation show no resolvable excitation wavelength dependence at room temperature over this spectral range. A small variation in rate with excitation wavelength is observed at cryogenic temperatures. The low temperature results cannot be explained in terms either of a nonequilibrium model that assumes that the primary charge separation starts from a vibrationally hot state or a model that assumes a static inhomogeneous distribution of electron transfer driving forces. Instead these results are consistent with the concept that primary charge separation kinetics are controlled by the dynamics of protein conformational diffusion.     

On the early charge separation and recombination processes in bacterial reaction centers

A new mechanism for the rapid initial charge separation in bacterial reaction centers is investigated. It can be characterized as a combined exciton-electron transfer mechanism. It involves as first step the deactivation of the initially excited dimer (BC_LPBC_MP)^* together with a charge transfer transition between the accessory monomer BC_LA and the pheophytine BP_L leading to the state BC⁺_LABP⁻_L. This first step is followed by a rapid electron transfer from the dimer to the cation BC⁺_LA. It is shown that this mechanism is consistent with the pertinent experimental facts from absorption and emission spectra as well as time resolved measurements related to the initial charge separation and subsequent recombination processes.     

Electronic transitions of the Soret band of reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides studied by femtosecond transient absorbance spectroscopy

The Soret band of reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides has been systematically studied using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. When the excitation wavelength was scanned over the entire Soret band, the approximate absorption spectra of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer, the monomer bacteriochlorophylls, and the bacteriopheophytins within the Soret band were determined by analyzing the ground state bleaching with about 100 fs resolution. The main contribution of H is on the blue end of the spectrum, peaking near 350 nm, P absorbs mostly on the red side of the spectrum, but probably has multiple bands, and the main absorbance of B likely lies between H and P, overlapping with P on the red side (particularly near 390 nm). The energy transfer from B to P in the QY band takes about 300 fs when Soret-band excitation is used and the time constant of overall energy transfer from H to B to P in the QY band when H is specifically excited near 350 nm is about 500 fs. Internal conversion after Soret-band excitation is the rate-limiting step for the energy-transfer process. The time constant of internal conversion for B and P is less than 300 fs, and for H it is about 500 fs.     

The origin of unidirectional charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers: nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of exciton and charge in pigment–protein complexes

Exciton charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers from purple bacteria (PbRC) and photosystem II (PSII) occurs exclusively along one of the two pseudo-symmetric branches (active branch) of pigment–protein complexes. The microscopic origin of unidirectional charge separation in photosynthesis remains controversial. Here we elucidate the essential factors leading to unidirectional charge separation in PbRC and PSII, using nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculations in conjunction with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) with the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics/polarizable continuum model (QM/MM/PCM) method. This approach accounts for energetics, electronic coupling, and vibronic coupling of the pigment excited states under electrostatic interactions and polarization of whole protein environments. The calculated time constants of charge separation along the active branches of PbRC and PSII are similar to those observed in time-resolved spectroscopic experiments. In PbRC, Tyr-M210 near the accessary bacteriochlorophyll reduces the energy of the intermediate state and drastically accelerates charge separation overcoming the electron–hole interaction. Remarkably, even though both the active and inactive branches in PSII can accept excitons from light-harvesting complexes, charge separation in the inactive branch is prevented by a weak electronic coupling due to symmetry-breaking of the chlorophyll configurations. The exciton in the inactive branch in PSII can be transferred to the active branch via direct and indirect pathways. Subsequently, the ultrafast electron transfer to pheophytin in the active branch prevents exciton back transfer to the inactive branch, thereby achieving unidirectional charge separation.

Essential factors leading to unidirectional charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers are clarified via nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculations.     

Femtosecond photoelectron spectroscopy of trans-stilbene above the reaction barrier

Femtosecond photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to study the excitation of trans-stilbene above the isomerization reaction barrier. Apart from the S₁ contribution, evidence of a second electronic state is found based on two different transients measured across the photoelectron spectrum. Time Dependent Density Functional Theory calculations on S₀, S₁, S₂ and D₀, together with simulations of the electron energy distribution support the experimental findings for selective photoelectron energies of the S₀, S₁,… electronic states.     

Energetics and kinetics of primary charge separation in bacterial photosynthesis

We report the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and formal modeling of the free-energy surfaces and reaction rates of primary charge separation in the reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Two simulation protocols were used to produce MD trajectories. Standard force-field potentials were employed in the first protocol. In the second protocol, the special pair was made polarizable to reproduce a high polarizability of its photoexcited state observed by Stark spectroscopy. The charge distribution between covalent and charge-transfer states of the special pair was dynamically adjusted during the simulation run. We found from both protocols that the breadth of electrostatic fluctuations of the protein/water environment far exceeds previous estimates, resulting in about 1.6 eV reorganization energy of electron transfer in the first protocol and 2.5 eV in the second protocol. Most of these electrostatic fluctuations become dynamically frozen on the time scale of primary charge separation, resulting in much smaller solvation contributions to the activation barrier. While water dominates solvation thermodynamics on long observation times, protein emerges as the major thermal bath coupled to electron transfer on the picosecond time of the reaction. Marcus parabolas were obtained for the free-energy surfaces of electron transfer by using the first protocol, while a highly asymmetric surface was obtained in the second protocol. A nonergodic formulation of the diffusion-reaction electron-transfer kinetics has allowed us to reproduce the experimental results for both the temperature dependence of the rate and the nonexponential decay of the population of the photoexcited special pair.     

Transmembrane charge transfer in photosynthetic reaction centers: some similarities and distinctions

This mini review presents a general comparison of structural and functional peculiarities of three types of photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs)--photosystem (PS) II, RC from purple bacteria (bRC) and PS I. The nature and mechanisms of the primary electron transfer reactions, as well as specific features of the charge transfer reactions at the donor and acceptor sides of RCs are considered. Comparison of photosynthetic RCs shows general similarity between the core central parts of all three types, between the acceptor sides of bRC and PS II, and between the donor sides of bRC and PS I. In the latter case, the similarity covers thermodynamic, kinetic and dielectric properties, which determine the resemblance of mechanisms of electrogenic reduction of the photooxidized primary donors. Significant distinctions between the donor and acceptor sides of PS I and PS II are also discussed. The results recently obtained in our laboratory indicate in favor of the following sequence of the primary and secondary electron transfer reactions: in PS II (bRC): Р(680)(Р(870)) → Chl(D1)(В(А)) → Phe(bPhe) → Q(A); and in PS I: Р(700) → А(0А)/A(0B) → Q(A)/Q(B).     

Trapped water molecule in the charge separation of a bacterial reaction center

Low-frequency oscillations in the absorption spectrum at 1020 nm, connected to the primary charge separation process in Rhodobacter sphaeroides, have been shown by Yakovlev et al. to be caused by rotational motion of an interstitial water molecule called "water-A". The same water molecule was shown by Potter et al. to increase the rate of charge separation by a factor of 8. We have carried out geometry optimization of water-A and its nearest atoms in the protein pocket, using density functional theory (DFT). There are strong hydrogen bonds to the axial imidazol group of the B part of the special pair (P=PAPB) and to the keto carbonyl group of ring V of the accessory chlorophyll (BA). Rotation of water-A is thus impossible in the electronic ground state. We have tried to support our speculations on other possible mechanisms by calculations. The P(+)BA(-) charge transfer state is stabilized by proton transfer from water-A and simultaneous proton transfer from the axial group of PB to water-A. After double proton transfer the hydrogen bond to the keto group disappears whereby a possibility opens up for almost free water rotation. The results therefore would explain the 32 cm(-1) oscillation of Yakovlev et al. The proposed mechanism assumes, however, that the general assumption that the activation energy disappears in the primary charge separation of bacterial photosynthesis, holds also for this special case.     

On the initial charge separation in bacterial reaction centers: Long-range electron transfer via an exciton-charge transfer (ECT) coupling mechanism

The low-lying electronically excited states for the reaction center of Rps. viridis are investigated using PPP/CI calculations. The six pigments are treated as three interacting pairs, the symmetric special pair dimer BC_MPBC_LP and the two loosely coupledasymmetric dimers BC_LABP_L and BC_MABP_M. It is shown that the charge transfer state BC_LA⁺BP_L⁻ can fall below the special pair excitation P* due to partial charge transfer from a histidine to BC_LA and due to stabilization of BP_L⁻ by a glutamic acid residue. As a result P* can decay in 2.8 ps into BC_LA⁺BP_L⁻ which goes over into the radical pair P⁺ BP_L⁻ in less than 1 ps. The first step can be described as an excitonic interaction between P* and BC_LA⁺ BP_L⁻.     

Characterization of charge neutralization reaction in aqueous solution using the membrane separation method

Colloid titration and streaming current detector are two popular techniques used to determine the charge density of dissolved and colloidally dispersed polyelectrolytes. However, both techniques are based on some assumptions that may not be valid under some circumstances. In this paper, a membrane separation technique developed to determine the charge density and characterize a charge neutralization reaction is described. The technique characterizes the reaction between cationic and anionic charge carriers by measuring the counterions released during reaction or the unreacted small molecule charge carriers. Membranes with selected cutoff pore size were used to separate the species of interest from the bulk of the reaction mixture. Three different charge determination techniques were also compared.     

Intrapolymer charge separation induced by picosecond multiphoton excitation: polyesters with pendant 1-pyrenyl groups in DMF

Intrapolymer electron transfer from the higher excited to the neighbouring ground states of pyrenyl chromophores occurs rapidly in polyesters. This charge separation process is characteristic of polymers and was not observed in the studies on bichromophoric model compounds. Relative geometrical structures of the relevant chromophores are discussed by comparing the results with those of polypeptides having the same chromophore.     

Isolation and protein chemical characterization of the B806-866 antenna complex of the green thermophilic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus

The B806-866 antenna complex was isolated from cytoplasmic membranes of the green thermophilic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus. The membranes were treated with 7 M urea at 50 degrees C, the B806-866 antenna complex was solubilized with a mixture of Noni-fjdet P-40 (octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Sigma)) and sodium dodecylsulphate (2:1) and isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. This antenna complex was characterized by reversed-phase chromatography (fast polypeptide and polynucleotide liquid chromatography), amino acid and sequence analyses. The B806-866 antenna of Chloroflexus aurantiacus consists of two polypeptides: the B806-866-alpha and B806-866-beta polypeptides in an apparent stoichiometric ratio of 1:1, which may be equivalent to the structural elementary unit found in the antenna systems of many species of Rhodospirillaceae.     

The selective reaction of primary amines with carbonyl imidazole containing compounds: selective amide and carbamate synthesis

A new highly selective synthesis of amides and carbamates is described. In both cases the syntheses involve the formation of carbonyl imidazole intermediates which subsequently undergo previously unreported selective reactions with primary amines. Acid imidazolides with sufficient chain length will exclusively react with primary amines even in the presence of secondary and tertiary functionality. The imidazole carboxylic esters of secondary or tertiary alcohols also react selectively with primary amines, forming controlled carbamate structures.     

Tailoring polyethersulfone/quaternary ammonium polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane with positive charge for dye and salt selective separation

Polyethersulfone (PES)/quaternary ammonium polysulfone (QAPSf) blend ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with positive charge were fabricated by nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) for use in dye and salt selective separation. QAPSf was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution with chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSf). The effect of the PES/QAPSf mass ratio on the morphology and performance of blend UF membranes were studied. The membranes' zeta potentials gradually changed from negative to positive with decreases in the PES/QAPSf mass ratio. At PES/QAPSf mass ratios of 30:70 and 10:90, the zeta potentials of the membranes reached +1.8 mV and + 5.9 mV, respectively. Additionally, the contact angles of the membranes decreased from 74° to 52° as the QAPSf content increased from 0 wt% to 90 wt%. Furthermore, the membrane with a PES/QAPSf mass ratio of 30:70 showed a high water permeance (181.4 LMH bar⁻¹) and excellent dye and salt selective separation performance. The rejection ratios reached 99.1%, 87.8%, 99.6%, and 92.4% for dyes Congo red, methyl blue, Alixin blue 8GX, and basic blue 24, respectively, while those for salts Na₂SO₄, MgSO₄, MgCl₂, and NaCl were ≤ 10%. In addition, the PES/QAPSf membranes showed excellent antifouling performance and good operating stability with dye-salt mixtures of various pHs and salt concentrations.     

Mechanism of quinol oxidation by ferricenium produced by light excitation in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria

The kinetics and thermodynamics of cyclic electron transfer through the isolated reaction center protein of photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides were determined in detergent (Triton X-100) solution. The redox reactions between the reducing (ubiquinol-0 or ubiquinol-10) and oxidizing species (ferricenium, ferricytochrome, or ferricyanide) produced chemically or by light excitation of the protein were monitored by absorption changes of the reactants and by acidification of the solution accompanied with the disappearance of the quinol. The bimolecular rate constants of reactions of anionic ubiquinol-0 with different oxidizing agents showed large variation: 5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) for ferricenium, 3.5 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for ferricyanide, and 1.5 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for ferricytochrome. Although the redox partners were created in pairs by the same protein promptly after light excitation, their bimolecular redox reaction was not observed even in the case of the fastest reacting partners of ferricenium and ubiquinol-0. Instead, they equilibrate with the corresponding (donor and acceptor) pools before the electron is transferred. The (logarithms of the) observed rate constants of quinol oxidation showed steep pH-dependence for water soluble ubiquinol-0 (slope +1) and mild pH-dependence for hydrophobic ubiquinol-10 (slope approximately 0.25). Combined with studies of the ionic strength dependence of the rate, it was concluded that the electron-transfer pathways of ubiquinol-0 and ubiquinol-10 oxidation started from their anionic and neutral forms, respectively. The mild pH-dependence of the rate of ubiquinol-10 oxidation came from the electrostatic interactions between ferricenium and the pH-dependent surface charges of the reaction center. The results help to understand, monitor, and design (cyclic) electron flow in bioenergetic proteins.     

On the role of coupling in mode selective excitation using ultrafast pulse shaping in stimulated Raman spectroscopy

The coherence of two coupled two-level systems, representing vibrational modes in a semiclassical model, is calculated in weak and strong fields for various coupling schemes and for different relative phases between initial state amplitudes. A relative phase equal to pi projects the system into a dark state. The selective excitation of one of the two, two-level systems is studied as a function of coupling strength and initial phases.