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Solvent isotope effects on retinal cis-trans isomerization in the dark adaptation of bacteriorhodopsin

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Chemical Society
 [1]
  1. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (United States)

The solvent isotope effect on the first-order rate constant for dark adaptation of bacteriorhodopsin, near neutral pH (pD), is inverse; k{sub D}/k{sub H} = 1.24. The fit of the variation of isotope effect with the atom fraction of deuterium in the solvent to the Gross-Butler equation leads to the conclusion that the proton(s) in motion is (are) less tightly bound in the reactant than in a reactive intermediate, formed prior to the rate-controlling step of cis-trans isomerization. The near-unity isotope effect on the equilibrium between the bound 13-cis- and all-trans-retinals in the dark-adapted state mixture indicates that the isotope effects on the forward and reverse rate constants for isomerization are approximately equal to each other and equal to the isotope effect on the observed rate constant for dark adaptation. The results support a previously proposed mechanism of rate-controlling Asp-212 nucleophilic catalysis of retinal cis-trans isomerication in the dark adaptation process. 27 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
274287
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the American Chemical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 114; ISSN JACSAT; ISSN 0002-7863
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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