The first picoseconds in bacterial photosynthesis--ultrafast electron transfer for the efficient conversion of light energy.
In this Minireview, we describe the function of the bacterial reaction centre (RC) as the central photosynthetic energy-conversion unit by ultrafast spectroscopy combined with structural analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, pigment exchange and theoretical modelling. We show that primary energy conversion is a stepwise process in which an electron is transferred via neighbouring chromophores of the RC. A well-defined chromophore arrangement in a rigid protein matrix, combined with optimised energetics of the different electron carriers, allows a highly efficient charge-separation process. The individual molecular reactions at room temperature are well described by conventional electron-transfer theory.
Zinth
Wolfgang
W
Department für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oettingenstr. 67, 80538 München, Germany. zinth@physik.uni-muenchen.de
Wachtveitl
Josef
J
D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D004579:Electron Transport; D004583:Electrons; D008027:Light; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D010788:Photosynthesis; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013997:Time Factors
D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D010100:Oxygen