Protonation depending photochemistry in rhodopsin and phytochrome photoreceptors (C06*)

• Subject Area: Structural Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221545957

The goal of this project is derive a molecular-level understanding of how excitation effects protonation dynamics in retinal proteins and phytochromes. Both of these photoreceptor proteins engage double-bond photoisomerization as a common activation mechanism that leads to altered molecular interactions and proton transfer. To this end we will use hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods to simulate static spectra as well as dynamics. We will focus on the retinal proteins Channelrhodopsin, the sodium pump KR2 and the chloride pump NmHR as well as the phytochromes Agp1, Agp2 and Cph1.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1078: Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function
• International Connection: Israel
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Igor Schapiro