BLEACHING OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN IN PURPLE MEMBRANE, BROWN HOLO-MEMBRANE ANDL–1690-SOLUBILIZED MONOMERS WITH HYDROXYLAMINE IN LIGHT AND THE DARK

Abstract— The reactions of hydroxylamine with bacteriorhodopsin in the states of the purple membrane, the brown holo-membrane andL–1690-solubilized monomers were studied in light and the dark. The bleaching rate was strongly dependent on the state of the bacteriorhodopsin and largely enhanced by light. Analysis of the isomeric composition of the resultant retinaloximes by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that more all- trans retinaloximes were present in the dark than 13- cis retinaloximes. However, under illumination, the relative amounts of 13- cis retinaloximes increased greatly, indicating the occurrence of trans to cis isomerization during the photochemical cycle of bacteriorhodopsin. Molar extinction coefficients of 13- cis retinaloximes were determined to estimate the isomeric composition of retinaloximes by HPLC analysis.