Relative ground and excited-state pKa values of phytochromobilin in the photoactivation of phytochrome: a computational study

The conversion of the plant photoreceptor phytochrome from an inactive (Pr) to an active form (Pfr) is accomplished by a red-light induced Z --> E photoisomerization of its phytochromobilin chromophore. In recent years, the question whether the photoactivation involves a change in chromophore protonation state has been the subject of many experimental studies. Here, we have used quantum chemical methods to calculate relative ground and excited-state pKa values of the different pyrrole moieties of phytochromobilin in a protein-like environment. Assuming (based on experimental data) a Pr ZaZsZa chromophore and considering isomerizations at C15 and C5, it is found that moieties B and C are the strongest acids both in the ground state and in the bright first singlet excited state, which is rationalized in simple geometric and electronic terms. It is also shown that neither light absorption nor isomerization increases the acidity of phytochromobilin relative to the reference Pr state with all pyrrolenic nitrogens protonated. Hence, provided that the subset of chromophore geometries under investigation is biologically relevant, there appears to be no intrinsic driving force for a proton-transfer event. In a series of benchmark calculations, the performance of ab initio and time-dependent density functional theory methods for excited-state studies of phytochromobilin is evaluated in light of available experimental data.