title: The bleaching of the bacteriorhodopsin chromophore by ionizing radiation.
abstract: The visible chromophore of bacteriorhodopsin, BR(570), undergoes progressive bleaching when subjected to 60CO gamma-irradiation. The low G-value for bleaching confirms that the site of the chromophore is highly protected. Positive and negative circular dichroic (CD) bands associated with the chromosphone undergo concomitant decrease in a manner which is consistent with two independent chromophores rather than exciton coupling between neighbouring chromophoric site.
mesh_terms: D001436:Bacteriorhodopsins / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006217:Halobacterium / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D002338:Carotenoids; D001436:Bacteriorhodopsins