title: Mechanism of photoisomerization of the rhodopsin chromophore.
abstract: This work is devoted to the problem connected with rhodopsin activation. Electrostatic forces involved in photoisomerization of retinal are considered. It is suggested that the repulsion force and rotating moment between electric dipole moments of methyl groups on the C5 and C13 atoms of retinal can promote isomerization upon light absorption because the pi-pi* transition is accompanied by a decrease in the potential barrier for torsional rotations around the C11-C12 bond.
authors.affiliation: Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. nonavas@rambler.ru
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Vassilieva-Vashakmadze
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gakhokidze
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gakhokidze
mesh_terms: D007536:Isomerism; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D010777:Photochemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012172:Retinaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D012243:Rhodopsin; D012172:Retinaldehyde