The photosynthetic reaction center (RC) converts light energy into electrochemical energy. The RC of heliobacteria (hRC) is a primitive homodimeric RC containing 58 bacteriochlorophylls and 2 chlorophyll s. The chlorophyll serves as the primary electron acceptor (Chl -A) responsible for light harvesting and charge separation. The single-molecule spectroscopy of Chl -A can be used to investigate heterogeneities of the RC photochemical function, though the low fluorescence quantum yield (0.1%) makes it difficult. Here, we show the fluorescence excitation spectroscopy of individual Chl -As in single hRCs at 6 K. The fluorescence quantum yield and absorption cross section of Chl -A increase 2- and 4-fold, respectively, compared to those at room temperature. The two Chl -As in single hRCs are identified as two distinct peaks in the fluorescence excitation spectrum, exhibiting different excitation polarization dependences. The spectral changes caused by photobleaching indicate the energy transfer across subunits in the hRC.
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Inorg Chem
January 2025
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Hydrogen-bonded cocrystals have attracted considerable attention as they allow fine-tuning of properties through the choice of hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors. In this study, triphenylarsine oxide (PhAsO) is introduced as a strong hydrogen-bond acceptor molecule. Due to its higher Lewis basicity compared to triphenylphosphine oxide (PhPO), it acts as a strong hydrogen-bond acceptor, which is demonstrated in six new cocrystals with HO and -di(hydroperoxy)cycloalkanes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Cell
January 2025
CNRS, Univ Rennes, IGDR [(Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes)]-UMR 6290, Rennes, France.
Understanding the spatiotemporal organization of components within living systems requires the highest resolution possible. Microscopy approaches that allow for a resolution below 250 nm include electron and super-resolution microscopy (SRM). The latter combines advanced imaging techniques and the optimization of image processing methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Sci
January 2025
Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot 761001 Israel
Proteins often harness extensive motions of domains and subunits to promote their function. Deciphering how these movements impact activity is key for understanding life's molecular machinery. The enzyme adenylate kinase is an intriguing example for this relationship; it ensures efficient catalysis by large-scale domain motions that lead to the enclosure of the bound substrates ATP and AMP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrends Genet
January 2025
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518132, China. Electronic address:
Neuronal activity, including sensory-evoked and spontaneous firing, regulates the expression of a subset of genes known as activity-dependent genes. A key issue in this process is the activation and accumulation of transcription factors (TFs), which bind to cis-elements at specific enhancers and promoters, ultimately driving RNA synthesis through transcription machinery. Epigenetic factors such as histone modifiers also play a crucial role in facilitating the specific binding of TFs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
February 2025
Departments of Physics, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Cellular actin networks exhibit distinct assembly and disassembly dynamics, primarily driven by multicomponent reactions occurring at the two ends of actin filaments. While barbed ends are recognized as the hotspot for polymerization, depolymerization is predominantly associated with pointed ends. Consequently, mechanisms promoting barbed-end depolymerization have received relatively little attention.
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