• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2002

Ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy was used to elucidate the dynamic change of the protein structure of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) during the photocycle. The photointermediates minus light- adapted (LA) BR difference spectra show Trp difference signals, which are assigned to Trp189 or Trp182 on helix F by using the mutants, W182F and W189F. The Difference signals of Trp 182 indicates an increase in hydrogen bonding strength at the indole nitrogen and a large change in the side chain conformation (X$\^$2,1/ torsion angle) in the M$_1$ \longrightarrow M$_2$ transition. On the other hand, Trp189 shows an increased hydrophobic interaction. These results suggest that the tilt of helix F occurs in the M$_1$\longrightarrow M$_2$ transition. In the M$_2$ \longrightarrow N transition, the hydrophobic interaction of Trp182 decreases drastically, The decrease in hydrophobic interaction of Trp182 in the N state suggests an invasion of water molecules that promote the proton transfer from Asp96 to the Schiff base. Structural reorganization of the protein after the tilt of helix F may be important for efficient reprotonation of the Schiff base.