Dynamics of Flavin in Flavocytochrome b2: A Fluorescence Study

Abstract— The dynamics of the flavin bound to the flavocytochrome b₂ from Hansenula anomala were studied by fluorescence intensity quenching and quenching emission anisotropy with iodide. The fluorescence intensity of bound flavin is decreased 13-fold as compared to the free molecule. The remaining fluorescence decays with two lifetimes equal to 0.963 ± 0.040 and 4.635 ± 0.008 ns and fractional intensities of 0.036 ± 0.002 and 0.964 ± 0.002, respectively. The bimolecular diffusion constant was found to be 3.33 × 10⁹ M ^-1 s^-1 when the flavin is bound to the enzyme and 8.3 × 10⁹ Mv s^-1 when the flavin is free in solution. Thus, the flavin in flavocytochrome b₂ is accessible to the solvent, but the amino acid residues of the binding site inhibit the diffusion of iodide. The rotational correlation time of bound flavin was found to be 2.015 ± 0.365 ns, a value higher than that (155 ps) of free flavin in solution. Our results are discussed on the basis of local dynamics of the flavin.