Exploring the electron transfer pathways in photosystem I by high-time-resolution electron paramagnetic resonance: observation of the B-side radical pair P700(+)A1B(-) in whole cells of the deuterated green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii at cryogenic temperatures.

Crystallographic models of photosystem I (PS I) highlight a symmetrical arrangement of the electron transfer cofactors which are organized in two parallel branches (A, B) relative to a pseudo-C2 symmetry axis that is perpendicular to the membrane plane. Here, we explore the electron transfer pathways of PS I in whole cells of the deuterated green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using high-time-resolution electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at cryogenic temperatures. Particular emphasis is given to quantum oscillations detectable in the tertiary radical pairs P700(+)A1A(-) and P700(+)A1B(-) of the electron transfer chain. Results are presented first for the deuterated site-directed mutant PsaA-M684H in which electron transfer beyond the primary electron acceptor A0A on the PsaA branch of electron transfer is impaired. Analysis of the quantum oscillations, observed in a two-dimensional Q-band (34 GHz) EPR experiment, provides the geometry of the B-side radical pair. The orientation of the g tensor of P700(+) in an external reference system is adapted from a time-resolved multifrequency EPR study of deuterated and 15N-substituted cyanobacteria (Link, G.; Berthold, T.; Bechtold, M.; Weidner, J.-U.; Ohmes, E.; Tang, J.; Poluektov, O.; Utschig, L.; Schlesselman, S. L.; Thurnauer, M. C.; Kothe, G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 4211-4222). Thus, we obtain the three-dimensional structure of the B-side radical pair following photoexcitation of PS I in its native membrane. The new structure describes the position and orientation of the reduced B-side quinone A1B(-) on a nanosecond time scale after light-induced charge separation. Furthermore, we present results for deuterated wild-type cells of C. reinhardtii demonstrating that both radical pairs P700(+)A1A(-) and P700(+)A1B(-) participate in the electron transfer process according to a mole ratio of 0.71/0.29 in favor of P700(+)A1A(-). A detailed comparison reveals different orientations of A1A(-) and A1B(-) in their respective binding sites such that formation of a strong hydrogen bond from A1(-) to the protein backbone is possible only in the case of A1A(-). We suggest that this is relevant to the rates of forward electron transfer from A1A(-) or A1B(-) to the iron-sulfur center F(X), which differ by a factor of 10. Thus, the present study sheds new light on the orientation of the phylloquinone acceptors in their binding pockets in PS I and the effect this has on function.

What you get out of high-time resolution electron paramagnetic resonance: example from photosynthetic bacteria.

The primary energy conversion steps of natural photosynthesis proceed via light-induced radical ion pairs as short-lived intermediates. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments of photosynthetic reaction centers monitor the key charge separated state between the oxidized primary electron donor and reduced quinone acceptor, e.g., P(+)(865)Q(-)(A) of purple photosynthetic bacteria. The time-resolved EPR spectra of P(+)(865)Q(-)(A) are indicative of a spin-correlated radical pair that is created from the excited singlet state of P(865) in an ultra-fast photochemical reaction. Importantly, the spin-correlated radical pair nature of the charge separated state is a common feature of all photosynthetic reaction centers, which gives rise to several interesting spin phenomena such as quantum oscillations, observed at short delay times after optical excitation. In this review, we describe details of the quantum oscillation phenomenon and present a complete analysis of the data obtained from the charge separated state of purple bacteria, P(+)(865)Q(-)(A). The analysis and simulation of the quantum oscillations yield the three-dimensional structure of P(+)(865)Q(-)(A) in the photosynthetic membrane on a nanosecond time scale after light-induced charge separation. Comparison with crystallographic data reveals that the position of Q(-)(A) is essentially the same as in the X-ray structure. However, the head group of Q(-)(A) has undergone a 60° rotation in the ring plane relative to its orientation in the crystal structure. The results are discussed within the framework of the previously suggested conformational gating mechanism for electron transfer from Q(-)(A) to the secondary quinone acceptor Q(B).

Surface states of titanium dioxide nanoparticles modified with enediol ligands.

Control of surface states of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine (dopamine) and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid, which act as ligands to the undercoordinated surface sites (carrier traps), is demonstrated by electrochemical techniques. The deepest traps were found to be most reactive and are selectively removed by the addition of the ligands which enhances the kinetics of electron accumulation in the film. Furthermore, a shift in the Fermi level to more positive potentials was detected for electrodes modified with the negatively charged ligand (3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid) compared to that of electrodes modified with the positively charged ligand (dopamine). The presence of the negative charge on the ligand also contributed to the underpotential of hydrogen evolution on 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid-modified electrodes.

Structural organization in photosynthetic proteins as studied by high-field EPR of spin-correlated radical pair states.

We demonstrate the potential of high-field (HF) time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to reveal unique information about electron transfer processes and the structure of photosynthetic systems. The lineshapes and electron spin polarization (ESP) of spin-correlated radical pair (SCRP) spectra recorded with HF-EPR are very sensitive to the magnetic parameters, interactions, and geometry of the radicals in the pair. This sensitivity facilitates an analysis of more sophisticated models and methods to reveal the important relationship between structural organization and light-induced electron transfer of the photosynthetic proteins. In this review, we report on a new time-resolved HF and multi-frequency EPR approach developed in the Freiburg laboratory in cooperation with the Argonne Photosynthesis group. The method is designed to probe the geometric structure of charge separated states in the photosynthetic membrane. First, we discuss the magneto-orientation of photosynthetic cyanobacteria as revealed by time-resolved HF-EPR of SCRPs. Then, we demonstrate how the three-dimensional structure of the SCRP P700(+)A1 from photosystem I of oxygenic photosynthesis and its arrangement in the membrane is obtained from application of multi-frequency including time-resolved HF-EPR techniques.

Low-temperature interquinone electron transfer in photosynthetic reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Blastochloris viridis: characterization of Q(B)- states by high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR).

High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF EPR) techniques have been employed to look for localized light-induced conformational changes in the protein environments around the reduced secondary quinone acceptor (Q(B)(-)) in Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Blastochloris viridis RCs. The Q(A)(-) and Q(B)(-) radical species in Fe-removed/Zn-replaced protonated RCs substituted with deuterated quinones are distinguishable with pulsed D-band (130 GHz) EPR and provide native probes of both the low-temperature Q(A)(-)Q(B) --> Q(A)Q(B)(-) electron-transfer event and the structure of trapped conformational substates. We report here the first spectroscopic evidence that cryogenically trapped, light-induced changes enable low-temperature Q(A)(-)Q(B) --> Q(A)Q(B)(-) electron transfer in the B. viridis RC and the first observation of an inactive, trapped P(+)Q(B)(-) state in both R. sphaeroides and B. viridis RCs that does not recombine at 20 K. The high resolution and orientational selectivity of HF electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) allows us to directly probe protein environments around Q(B)(-) for distinct P(+)Q(B)(-) kinetic RC states by spectrally selecting specific nuclei in isotopically labeled samples. No structural differences in the protein structure near Q(B)(-) or reorientation (within 5 degrees ) of Q(B)(-) was observed with HF ENDOR spectra of two states of P(+)Q(B)(-): "active" and "inactive" states with regards to low-temperature electron transfer. These results reveal a remarkably enforced local protein environment for Q(B) in its reduced semiquinone state and suggest that the conformational change that controls reactivity resides beyond the Q(B) local environment.

Bidirectional electron transfer in photosystem I: direct evidence from high-frequency time-resolved EPR spectroscopy.

Efficient charge separation occurring within membrane-bound reaction center proteins is the most important step of photosynthetic solar energy conversion. All reaction centers are classified into two types, I and II. X-ray crystal structures reveal that both types bind two symmetric membrane-spanning branches of potential electron-transfer cofactors. Determination of the functional roles of these pairs of branches is of fundamental importance. While it is established that in type II reaction centers only one branch functions in electron transfer, we present the first direct spectroscopic evidence that both cofactor branches are active in the type I reaction center, photosystem I.

Electron transfer pathways and protein response to charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers: time-resolved high-field ENDOR of the spin-correlated radical pair P865(+)QA(-).

Recently we reported the first observation of time-resolved (TR) high-frequency (HF) electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) of the transient charge separated state P865(+)Q(-)A in purple photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers (RC) (Poluektov, O. G., et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 1644-1645). The high resolution and orientational selectivity of HF ENDOR allows us to directly probe protein environments by spectrally selecting specific nuclei in isotopically labeled samples. A new phenomenon associated with the spin correlated radical pair (SCRP) nature of P865(+)Q(-)A was observed. The TR-HF ENDOR spectra of protein nuclei (protons) surrounding deuterated QA(-) exhibit a derivative-like, complicated line shape, which differs considerably from the HF ENDOR spectrum of the protein nuclei surrounding thermally equilibrated QA(-). Here, a theoretical analysis of these observations is presented that shows that the positions and amplitudes of ENDOR lines contain information on hyperfine interactions (HFI) of a particular nucleus (a proton of the protein) with both correlated electron spins. Thus, spin density delocalization in the protein environment between the SCRP donor and acceptor molecules can be revealed via HF ENDOR. Novel approaches for acquiring and analyzing SCRP ENDOR that simplify interpretation of the spectra are discussed. Furthermore, we report here that the positions of the ENDOR lines of the SCRP shift with an increase in the time after laser flash, which initiates electron transfer. These shifts provide direct spectroscopic evidence of reorganization of the protein environment to accommodate the donor-acceptor charge-separated state P865(+)QA(-).

Recombination pathways in the Degussa P25 formulation of TiO2: surface versus lattice mechanisms.

Charge migration between electron trapping sites within the mixed-phase titania photocatalyst Degussa P25 has been studied. In addition to previously described lattice electron trapping sites on both anatase and rutile phases, surface electron trapping sites and an anatase-rutile interface trapping site specific to Degussa P25 are identified. The relationship between these sites and recombination with surface hole trapping sites is also determined. It is experimentally shown that upon band-gap illumination holes appear at the surface and preferentially recombine with electrons in surface trapping sites. These findings indicate that in mixed-phase TiO2, such as Degussa P25, photogenerated holes are trapped exclusively on the particle surface, while photogenerated electrons are trapped within the nanoparticle lattice. Recombination reactions are dominated by surface reactions that follow charge migration. These findings indicate that, in mixed-phase TiO(2), such as Degussa P25, a random flight mechanism of recombination predominates. Such knowledge simplifies the mechanistic mathematical models used for process design and points the way for improving future oxidative titania catalysts.

Metal ion modulated electron transfer in photosynthetic proteins.

Photosynthetic purple bacterial reaction center (RC) proteins are ideal native systems for addressing basic questions regarding the nature of biological electron transfer because both the protein structure and the electron-transfer reactions are well-characterized. Metal ion binding to the RC can affect primary photochemistry and provides a probe for understanding the involvement of local protein environments in electron transfer. The RC has two distinct transition metal ion binding sites, the well-known non-heme Fe(2+) site buried in the protein interior and a recently discovered Zn(2+) site located on the surface of the protein. Fe(2+) removal and Zn(2+) binding systematically affect different electron-transfer steps in the RC. Factors involved in the metal ion alteration of RC electron transfer may provide a paradigm for other biological systems involved in electron transfer.

ENDOR of spin-correlated radical pairs in photosynthesis at high magnetic field: a tool for mapping electron transfer pathways.

A new phenomenon has been detected in the time-resolved electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra of the spin-correlated radical pairs in photosynthetic reaction center proteins. The observed effects result from both increased resolution and orientational selectivity provided by high magnetic field EPR and are manifest as specific, derivative-type lines in the ENDOR spectrum. Importantly, the positions and amplitudes of these lines contain information on the interaction of a particular nucleus with both correlated electron spins. Thus, spin density delocalization in the protein environment between the donor and acceptor in the SCRP can be revealed via SCRP ENDOR, providing a unique opportunity to probe the electron-transfer pathways in natural and artificial photosynthetic assemblies.

Inter- and intraspecific variation in excited-state triplet energy transfer rates in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria.

In protein-cofactor reaction center (RC) complexes of purple photosynthetic bacteria, the major role of the bound carotenoid (C) is to quench the triplet state formed on the primary electron donor (P) before its sensitization of the excited singlet state of molecular oxygen from its ground triplet state. This triplet energy is transferred from P to C via the bacteriochlorophyll monomer B(B). Using time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR), we have examined the temperature dependence of the rates of this triplet energy transfer reaction in the RC of three wild-type species of purple nonsulfur bacteria. Species-specific differences in the rate of transfer were observed. Wild-type Rhodobacter capsulatus RCs were less efficient at the triplet transfer reaction than Rhodobacter sphaeroides RCs, but were more efficient than Rhodospirillum rubrum RCs. In addition, RCs from three mutant strains of R. capsulatus carrying substitutions of amino acids near P and B(B) were examined. Two of the mutant RCs showed decreased triplet transfer rates compared with wild-type RCs, whereas one of the mutant RCs demonstrated a slight increase in triplet transfer rate at low temperatures. The results show that site-specific changes within the RC of R. capsulatus can mimic interspecies differences in the rates of triplet energy transfer. This application of TREPR was instrumental in defining critical energetic and coupling factors that dictate the efficiency of this photoprotective process.

Biology of TiO2-oligonucleotide nanocomposites.

Emerging areas of nanotechnology hold the promise of overcoming the limitations of existing technologies for intracellular manipulation. These new developments provide approaches for the creation of chemical-biological hybrid nanocomposites that can be introduced into cells and subsequently used to initiate intracellular processes or biochemical reactions. Such nanocomposites would advance medical biotechnology, just as they are improving microarray technology and imaging in biology and medicine, and introducing new possibilities in chemistry and material sciences. Here we describe the behaviour of 45-A nanoparticles of titanium dioxide semiconductor combined with oligonucleotide DNA into nanocomposites in vivo and in vitro. These nanocomposites not only retain the intrinsic photocatalytic capacity of TiO2 and the bioactivity of the oligonucleotide DNA (covalently attached to the TiO2 nanoparticle), but also possess the chemically and biologically unique new property of a light-inducible nucleic acid endonuclease, which could become a new tool for gene therapy.

Pulsed high-frequency EPR study on the location of carotenoid and chlorophyll cation radicals in photosystem II.

When the primary electron-donation pathway from the water-oxidation complex in photosystem II (PS II) is inhibited, chlorophyll (Chl(Z) and Chl(D)), beta-carotene (Car) and cytochrome b(559) are alternate electron donors that are believed to function in a photoprotection mechanism. Previous studies have demonstrated that high-frequency EPR spectroscopy (at 130 GHz), together with deuteration of PS II, yields resolved Car(+) and Chl(+) EPR signals (Lakshmi et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 10 445-10 448). The present study describes the use of pulsed high-frequency EPR spectroscopy to measure the location of the carotenoid and chlorophyll radicals relative to other paramagnetic cofactors in Synechococcus lividus PS II. The spin-lattice relaxation rates of the Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals are measured in manganese-depleted and manganese-depleted, cyanide-treated PS II; in these samples, the non-heme Fe(II) is high-spin (S = 2) and low-spin (S = 0), respectively. The Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals exhibit dipolar-enhanced relaxation rates in the presence of high-spin (S = 2) Fe(II) that are eliminated when the Fe(II) is low-spin (S = 0). The relaxation enhancements of the Car(+) and Chl(+) by the non-heme Fe(II) are smaller than the relaxation enhancement of Tyr(D)(*) and P(865)(+) by the non-heme Fe(II) in PS II and in the reaction center from Rhodobactersphaeroides, respectively, indicating that the Car(+)-Fe(II) and Chl(+)-Fe(II) distances are greater than the known Tyr(D)(*)-Fe(II) and P(865)(+)-Fe(II) distances. The Car(+) radical exhibits a greater relaxation enhancement by Fe(II) than the Chl(+) radical, consistent with Car being an earlier electron donor to P(680)(+) than Chl. On the basis of the distance estimates obtained in the present study and by analogy to carotenoid-binding sites in other pigment-protein complexes, possible binding sites are discussed for the Car cofactors in PS II. The relative location of Car(+) and Chl(+) radicals determined in this study provides valuable insight into the sequence of electron transfers in the alternate electron-donation pathways of PS II.