Subsecond proton-hole propagation in bacteriorhodopsin.

ABSTRACT: The dynamics of proton transfer between the surface of purple membrane and the aqueous bulk have recently been investigated by the Laser Induced Proton Pulse Method. Following a Delta-function release of protons to the bulk, the system was seen to regain its state of equilibrium within a few hundreds of microseconds. These measurements set the time frame for the relaxation of any state of acid-base disequilibrium between the bacteriorhodopsin's surface and the bulk. It was also deduced that the released protons react with the various proton binding within less than 10 micro s. In the present study, we monitored the photocycle and the proton-cycle of photo-excited bacteriorhodopsin, in the absence of added buffer, and calculated the proton balance between the Schiff base and the bulk phase

SUBMITTER: Schatzler B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1302648 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature