Dissecting the Ultrafast Stepwise Bidirectional Proton Relay in a Blue-Light Photoreceptor

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Feb 15;145(6):3394-3400. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c10206. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Abstract

Proton relays through H-bond networks are essential in realizing the functionality of protein machines such as in photosynthesis and photoreceptors. It has been challenging to dissect the rates and energetics of individual proton-transfer steps during the proton relay. Here, we have designed a proton rocking blue light using a flavin (BLUF) domain with the flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-glutamic acid (E)-tryptophan (W) triad and have resolved the four individual proton-transfer steps kinetically using ultrafast spectroscopy. We have found that after the photo-induced charge separation forming FMN·-/E-COOH/WH·+, the proton first rapidly jumps from the bridging E-COOH to FMN-fPT2 = 3.8 ps; KIE = 1.0), followed by a second proton transfer from WH·+ to E-COO-fPT1 = 336 ps; KIE = 2.6) which immediately rocks back to W·rPT1 = 85 ps; KIE = 6.7), followed by a proton return from FMNH· to E-COO-rPT2 = 34 ps; KIE = 3.3) with the final charge recombination between FMN·- and WH·+ to close the reaction cycle. Our results revisited the Grotthuss mechanism on the ultrafast timescale using the BLUF domain as a paradigm protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Light*
  • Protons*
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Tryptophan

Substances

  • Protons
  • Tryptophan