Mechanism of the Formation of Proton Transfer Pathways in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

Overview

Journal Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Specialty Science

Date 2021 Jul 24

PMID 34301911

Citations 16

Authors

Yu Sugo

Keisuke Saito

Hiroshi Ishikita

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In photosynthetic reaction centers from purple bacteria (PbRCs) from , the secondary quinone Q accepts two electrons and two protons via electron-coupled proton transfer (PT). Here, we identify PT pathways that proceed toward the Q binding site, using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical approach. As the first electron is transferred to Q, the formation of the Grotthuss-like pre-PT H-bond network is observed along Asp-L213, Ser-L223, and the distal Q carbonyl O site. As the second electron is transferred, the formation of a low-barrier H-bond is observed between His-L190 at Fe and the proximal Q carbonyl O site, which facilitates the second PT. As QH leaves PbRC, a chain of water molecules connects protonated Glu-L212 and deprotonated His-L190 forms, which serves as a pathway for the His-L190 reprotonation. The findings of the second pathway, which does not involve Glu-L212, and the third pathway, which proceeds from Glu-L212 to His-L190, provide a mechanism for PT commonly used among PbRCs.

Citing Articles

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