LOW-TEMPERATURE TRAPPING OF EARLY PHOTOINTERMEDIATES OF α-ISORHODOPSIN

Abstract— a-Isorhodopsin, an artificial visual pigment with a 9- cis -4,5-dehydro-5,6-dihydro(a)retinal chromophore, was photolyzed at low temperatures and absorption difference spectra were collected as the sample was warmed. A bathorhodopsin (Batho)-like intermediate absorbing at ca 495 nm was detected below 55 K, a blue-shifted intermediate (BSI)-like intermediate absorbing at ca 453 nm was observed when the temperature was raised to 60 K and a lumirhodopsin (Lumi)-like intermediate absorbing at ca 470 nm was found when the sample was warmed to 115 K. Photointermediates from this pigment were compared to those of native rhodopsin and 5,6-dihydroisorhodopsin. As in native rho-dopsin, Batho is the first intermediate detected in a-isorhodopsin, though unlike native rhodopsin at low temperatures BSI is observed prior to Lumi formation. a-Isorhodopsin behaves similarly to 5,6-dihydroisorhodopsin, with the same early intermediates observed in both artificial visual pigments lacking the C₅-C₆ double bond. The transition temperature for BSI formation is higher in a-isorhodopsin, suggesting an interaction involving the chromophore ring in BSI formation. The transition temperature for Lumi formation is similar for these two pigments as well as for native rhodopsin, suggesting comparable changes in the protein environment in that transition.