Structure and function of the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.
The three-dimensional structure of the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides is described. The reaction center is a transmembrane protein that converts light into chemical energy. The protein has three subunits: L, M, and H. The mostly helical L and M subunits provide the scaffolding and the finely tuned environment in which the chromophores carry out electron transfer. The details of the protein-chromophore interactions are from studies of a trigonal crystal form that diffracted to 2.65-A resolution. Functional studies of the multi-subunit complex by site-specific replacement of key amino acid residues are summarized in the context of the molecular structure.
Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik, Abt. Molekulare Membranbiologie, Frankfurt, Germany.
U
U
Ermler
H
H
Michel
M
M
Schiffer
D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012242:Rhodobacter sphaeroides / Q000502:physiology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins