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Institute
The family of phytochrome photoreceptors contains proteins with different domain architectures and spectral properties. Knotless phytochromes are one of the three main subgroups classified by their distinct lack of the PAS domain in their photosensory core module, which is in contrast to the canonical PAS-GAF-PHY array. Despite intensive research on the ultrafast photodynamics of phytochromes, little is known about the primary kinetics in knotless phytochromes. Here, we present the ultrafast Pr ⇆ Pfr photodynamics of SynCph2, the best-known knotless phytochrome. Our results show that the excited state lifetime of Pr* (~200 ps) is similar to bacteriophytochromes, but much longer than in most canonical phytochromes. We assign the slow Pr* kinetics to relaxation processes of the chromophore-binding pocket that controls the bilin chromophore’s isomerization step. The Pfr photoconversion dynamics starts with a faster excited state relaxation than in canonical phytochromes, but, despite the differences in the respective domain architectures, proceeds via similar ground state intermediate steps up to Meta-F. Based on our observations, we propose that the kinetic features and overall dynamics of the ultrafast photoreaction are determined to a great extent by the geometrical context (i.e., available space and flexibility) within the binding pocket, while the general reaction steps following the photoexcitation are most likely conserved among the red/far-red phytochromes.
The new class of microbial rhodopsins, called xenorhodopsins (XeRs),[1] extends the versatility of this family by inward H+ pumps.[2–4] These pumps are an alternative optogenetic tool to the light-gated ion channels (e.g. ChR1,2), because the activation of electrically excitable cells by XeRs is independent from the surrounding physiological conditions. In this work we functionally and spectroscopically characterized XeR from Nanosalina (NsXeR).[1] The photodynamic behavior of NsXeR was investigated on the ps to s time scale elucidating the formation of the J and K and a previously unknown long-lived intermediate. The pH dependent kinetics reveal that alkalization of the surrounding medium accelerates the photocycle and the pump turnover. In patch-clamp experiments the blue-light illumination of NsXeR in the M state shows a potential-dependent vectoriality of the photocurrent transients, suggesting a variable accessibility of reprotonation of the retinal Schiff base. Insights on the kinetically independent switching mechanism could furthermore be obtained by mutational studies on the putative intracellular H+ acceptor D220.
The new class of microbial rhodopsins, called xenorhodopsins (XeRs),[1] extends the versatility of this family by inward H+ pumps.[2–4] These pumps are an alternative optogenetic tool to the light-gated ion channels (e.g. ChR1,2), because the activation of electrically excitable cells by XeRs is independent from the surrounding physiological conditions. In this work we functionally and spectroscopically characterized XeR from Nanosalina (NsXeR).[1] The photodynamic behavior of NsXeR was investigated on the ps to s time scale elucidating the formation of the J and K and a previously unknown long-lived intermediate. The pH dependent kinetics reveal that alkalization of the surrounding medium accelerates the photocycle and the pump turnover. In patch-clamp experiments the blue-light illumination of NsXeR in the M state shows a potential-dependent vectoriality of the photocurrent transients, suggesting a variable accessibility of reprotonation of the retinal Schiff base. Insights on the kinetically independent switching mechanism could furthermore be obtained by mutational studies on the putative intracellular H+ acceptor D220.
Photoactivatable compounds for example photoswitches or photolabile protecting groups (PPGs, photocages) for spatiotemporal light control, play a crucial role in different areas of research. For each application, parameters such as the absorption spectrum, solubility in the respective media and/or photochemical quantum yields for several competing processes need to be optimized. The design of new photochemical tools therefore remains an important task. In this study, we exploited the concept of excited-state-aromaticity, first described by N. Colin Baird in 1971, to investigate a new class of photocages, based on cyclic, ground-state-antiaromatic systems. Several thio- and nitrogen-functionalized compounds were synthesized, photochemically characterized and further optimized, supported by quantum chemical calculations. After choosing the optimal scaffold, which shows an excellent uncaging quantum yield of 28 %, we achieved a bathochromic shift of over 100 nm, resulting in a robust, well accessible, visible light absorbing, compact new photocage with a clean photoreaction and a high quantum product (ϵ⋅Φ) of 893 M−1 cm−1 at 405 nm.
Photoactivatable compounds for example photoswitches or photolabile protecting groups (PPGs, photocages) for spatiotemporal light control, play a crucial role in different areas of research. For each application, parameters such as the absorption spectrum, solubility in the respective media and/or photochemical quantum yields for several competing processes need to be optimized. The design of new photochemical tools therefore remains an important task. In this study, we exploited the concept of excited-state-aromaticity, first described by N. Colin Baird in 1971, to investigate a new class of photocages, based on cyclic, ground-state-antiaromatic systems. Several thio- and nitrogen-functionalized compounds were synthesized, photochemically characterized and further optimized, supported by quantum chemical calculations. After choosing the optimal scaffold, which shows an excellent uncaging quantum yield of 28 %, we achieved a bathochromic shift of over 100 nm, resulting in a robust, well accessible, visible light absorbing, compact new photocage with a clean photoreaction and a high quantum product (ϵ⋅Φ) of 893 M−1 cm−1 at 405 nm.
Photoacids attract increasing scientific attention, as they are valuable tools to spatiotemporally control proton-release reactions and pH values of solutions. We present the first time-resolved spectroscopic study of the excited state and proton-release dynamics of prominent merocyanine representatives. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements of a pyridine merocyanine with two distinct protonation sites revealed dissimilar proton-release mechanisms: one site acts as a photoacid generator as its pKa value is modulated in the ground state after photoisomerization, while the other functions as an excited state photoacid which releases its proton within 1.1 ps. With a pKa drop of 8.7 units to −5.5 upon excitation, the latter phenolic site is regarded a super-photoacid. The 6-nitro derivative exhibits only a phenolic site with similar, yet slightly less photoacidic characteristics and both compounds transfer their proton to methanol and ethanol. In contrast, for the related 6,8-dinitro compound an intramolecular proton transfer to the ortho-nitro group is suggested that is involved in a rapid relaxation into the ground state.