Hydraulic Activation of the AsLOV2 Photoreceptor.

ABSTRACT: How proteins transduce light into mechanical energy remains a central question in biology. This study tests the hypothesis that blue light activation of the LOV2 (light, oxygen, voltage sensitive) domain of Avena sativa phototropin 1 (AsLOV2), gives rise to concerted water movement that induces protein conformational extensions. Using electron and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, along with molecular dynamics simulations at high pressure, we find AsLOV2 activation can be initiated by blue light or high pressure, followed by selective and concerted expulsion of low-entropy, tetrahedrally coordinated "wrap" water from the protein hydration shell. These findings suggest that interfacial water serves as constituents to reshape the protein's free energy landscape during activatio

SUBMITTER: Maity S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12262554 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature