Modulation of Electron Transfer Branches by Atrazine and Triazine Herbicides in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

Biochemistry. 2024 May 7;63(9):1206-1213. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00010. Epub 2024 Apr 8.

Abstract

Quinone analogue molecules, functioning as herbicides, bind to the secondary quinone site, QB, in type-II photosynthetic reaction centers, including those from purple bacteria (PbRC). Here, we investigated the impact of herbicide binding on electron transfer branches, using herbicide-bound PbRC crystal structures and employing the linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation. In contrast to urea and phenolic herbicides [Fufezan, C. Biochemistry 2005, 44, 12780-12789], binding of atrazine and triazine did not cause significant changes in the redox-potential (Em) values of the primary quinone (QA) in these crystal structures. However, a slight Em difference at the bacteriopheophytin in the electron transfer inactive branch (HM) was observed between the S(-)- and R(+)-triazine-bound PbRC structures. This discrepancy is linked to variations in the protonation pattern of the tightly coupled Glu-L212 and Glu-H177 pairs, crucial components of the proton uptake pathway in native PbRC. These findings suggest the existence of a QB-mediated link between the electron transfer inactive HM and the proton uptake pathway in PbRCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atrazine* / chemistry
  • Atrazine* / metabolism
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Electron Transport
  • Herbicides* / chemistry
  • Herbicides* / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins* / chemistry
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins* / metabolism
  • Rhodobacter sphaeroides / metabolism
  • Triazines* / chemistry
  • Triazines* / metabolism

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Atrazine
  • Triazines
  • Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins