scholarly journals Primary processes in the bacterial reaction center probed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (14) ◽  
pp. 3563-3568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Niedringhaus ◽  
Veronica R. Policht ◽  
Riley Sechrist ◽  
Arkaprabha Konar ◽  
Philip D. Laible ◽  
...  

In the initial steps of photosynthesis, reaction centers convert solar energy to stable charge-separated states with near-unity quantum efficiency. The reaction center from purple bacteria remains an important model system for probing the structure–function relationship and understanding mechanisms of photosynthetic charge separation. Here we perform 2D electronic spectroscopy (2DES) on bacterial reaction centers (BRCs) from two mutants of the purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, spanning the Qy absorption bands of the BRC. We analyze the 2DES data using a multiexcitation global-fitting approach that employs a common set of basis spectra for all excitation frequencies, incorporating inputs from the linear absorption spectrum and the BRC structure. We extract the exciton energies, resolving the previously hidden upper exciton state of the special pair. We show that the time-dependent 2DES data are well-represented by a two-step sequential reaction scheme in which charge separation proceeds from the excited state of the special pair (P*) to P+HA− via the intermediate P+BA−. When inhomogeneous broadening and Stark shifts of the B* band are taken into account we can adequately describe the 2DES data without the need to introduce a second charge-separation pathway originating from the excited state of the monomeric bacteriochlorophyll BA*.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Song ◽  
Riley Sechrist ◽  
Hoang H. Nguyen ◽  
William Johnson ◽  
Darius Abramavicius ◽  
...  

AbstractPhotochemical reaction centers are the engines that drive photosynthesis. The reaction center from heliobacteria (HbRC) has been proposed to most closely resemble the common ancestor of photosynthetic reaction centers, motivating a detailed understanding of its structure-function relationship. The recent elucidation of the HbRC crystal structure motivates advanced spectroscopic studies of its excitonic structure and charge separation mechanism. We perform multispectral two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the HbRC and corresponding numerical simulations, resolving the electronic structure and testing and refining recent excitonic models. Through extensive examination of the kinetic data by lifetime density analysis and global target analysis, we reveal that charge separation proceeds via a single pathway in which the distinct A0 chlorophyll a pigment is the primary electron acceptor. In addition, we find strong delocalization of the charge separation intermediate. Our findings have general implications for the understanding of photosynthetic charge separation mechanisms, and how they might be tuned to achieve different functional goals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Song ◽  
Riley Sechrist ◽  
Hoang Huy Nguyen ◽  
William Johnson ◽  
Darius Abramavičius ◽  
...  

<p>Photochemical reaction centers are the engines that drive photosynthesis. The reaction center from heliobacteria (HbRC) has been proposed to most closely resemble the common ancestor of photosynthetic reaction centers, motivating a detailed understanding of its structure-function relationship. The recent elucidation of the HbRC crystal structure motivates advanced spectroscopic studies of its excitonic structure and charge separation mechanism. We perform multispectral two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the HbRC and corresponding numerical simulations, resolving the electronic structure and testing and refining recent excitonic models. Through extensive examination of the kinetic data by lifetime density analysis and global target analysis, we reveal that charge separation proceeds via a single pathway in which the distinct A<sub>0 </sub>chlorophyll <i>a</i> pigment is the primary electron acceptor. In addition, we find strong delocalization of the initial excited state and charge separation intermediate. Our findings have general implications for the understanding of photosynthetic charge separation mechanisms, and how they might be tuned to achieve different functional goals.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Song ◽  
Riley Sechrist ◽  
Hoang Huy Nguyen ◽  
William Johnson ◽  
Darius Abramavičius ◽  
...  

<p>Photochemical reaction centers are the engines that drive photosynthesis. The reaction center from heliobacteria (HbRC) has been proposed to most closely resemble the common ancestor of photosynthetic reaction centers, motivating a detailed understanding of its structure-function relationship. The recent elucidation of the HbRC crystal structure motivates advanced spectroscopic studies of its excitonic structure and charge separation mechanism. We perform multispectral two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the HbRC and corresponding numerical simulations, resolving the electronic structure and testing and refining recent excitonic models. Through extensive examination of the kinetic data by lifetime density analysis and global target analysis, we reveal that charge separation proceeds via a single pathway in which the distinct A<sub>0 </sub>chlorophyll <i>a</i> pigment is the primary electron acceptor. In addition, we find strong delocalization of the initial excited state and charge separation intermediate. Our findings have general implications for the understanding of photosynthetic charge separation mechanisms, and how they might be tuned to achieve different functional goals.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Song ◽  
Riley Sechrist ◽  
Hoang Huy Nguyen ◽  
William Johnson ◽  
Darius Abramavičius ◽  
...  

<p>Photochemical reaction centers are the engines that drive photosynthesis. The reaction center from heliobacteria (HbRC) has been proposed to most closely resemble the common ancestor of photosynthetic reaction centers, motivating a detailed understanding of its structure-function relationship. The recent elucidation of the HbRC crystal structure motivates advanced spectroscopic studies of its excitonic structure and charge separation mechanism. We perform multispectral two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the HbRC and corresponding numerical simulations, resolving the electronic structure and testing and refining recent excitonic models. Through extensive examination of the kinetic data by lifetime density analysis and global target analysis, we reveal that charge separation proceeds via a single pathway in which the distinct A<sub>0 </sub>chlorophyll <i>a</i> pigment is the primary electron acceptor. In addition, we find strong delocalization of the initial excited state and charge separation intermediate. Our findings have general implications for the understanding of photosynthetic charge separation mechanisms, and how they might be tuned to achieve different functional goals.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Ennist ◽  
Zhenyu Zhao ◽  
Steven Stayrook ◽  
Bohdana Discher ◽  
P Leslie 'Les' Dutton ◽  
...  

Abstract Natural photosynthetic protein complexes capture sunlight to power the energetic catalysis that supports life on Earth. Yet these natural protein structures carry an evolutionary legacy of complexity and fragility that encumbers protein reengineering efforts and obfuscates the underlying design rules for light-driven charge separation. De novo development of a simplified photosynthetic reaction center protein can clarify practical engineering principles needed to build new enzymes for efficient solar-to-fuel energy conversion. Here we report the rational design, X-ray crystal structure, and electron transfer activity of a multi-cofactor protein that incorporates essential elements of photosynthetic reaction centers. This highly stable, modular artificial protein framework can be reconstituted in vitro with interchangeable redox centers for nanometer-scale photochemical charge separation. Transient absorption spectroscopy demonstrates Photosystem II-like tyrosine and metal cluster oxidation, and we measure charge separation lifetimes exceeding 100 ms, ideal for light-activated catalysis. This de novo-designed reaction center builds upon engineering guidelines established for charge separation in earlier synthetic photochemical triads and modified natural proteins, and it shows how synthetic biology may lead to a new generation of genetically encoded, light-powered catalysts for solar fuel production.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (17) ◽  
pp. 2487-2492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen ◽  
Eleonora De Re ◽  
Richard J. Cogdell ◽  
Graham R. Fleming

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