Conformational regulation of charge recombination reactions in a photosynthetic bacterial reaction center

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2005 Jul;12(7):630-1. doi: 10.1038/nsmb948. Epub 2005 Jun 5.

Abstract

In bright light the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides stabilizes the P(+)(870).Q(-)(A) charge-separated state and thereby minimizes the potentially harmful effects of light saturation. Using X-ray diffraction we report a conformational change that occurs within the cytoplasmic domain of this RC in response to prolonged illumination with bright light. Our observations suggest a novel structural mechanism for the regulation of electron transfer reactions in photosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography
  • Electron Transport / physiology
  • Light*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Photochemistry
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / chemistry*
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rhodobacter sphaeroides / metabolism*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins

Associated data

  • PDB/2BNP
  • PDB/2BNS