Molecular assembly of Zn porphyrin complexes using synthetic light-harvesting model polypeptides

Ochiai, T., Asaoka, T., Kato, T., Osaka, S., Dewa, T., Yamashita, K., Gardiner, A.T., Hashimoto, H. and Nango, M. (2008) Molecular assembly of Zn porphyrin complexes using synthetic light-harvesting model polypeptides. Photosynthesis Research, 95(2-3), pp. 353-361. (doi: 10.1007/s11120-007-9280-z)

Abstract

Synthetic single alpha-helix hydrophobic polypeptides, which have similar amino acid sequences to the hydrophobic core in the native light-harvesting 1-beta polypeptide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, formed Zn porphyrin complexes on a gold electrode, as well as in n-octyl-beta-glucoside micelles: this process is dependent on the structure of the pigments and the polypeptides. Interestingly, an enhanced photoelectric current was observed when Zn mesoporphyrin monomer complexed with the synthetic light-harvesting model polypeptide in an alpha-helical configuration was assembled with a defined orientation onto the electrode. Analog of these light-harvesting model complexes are also useful in providing insights into the effect of polypeptide structure on the formation of light-harvesting complexes on and off electrodes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gardiner, Dr Alastair
• Authors: Ochiai, T., Asaoka, T., Kato, T., Osaka, S., Dewa, T., Yamashita, K., Gardiner, A.T., Hashimoto, H., and Nango, M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH345 Biochemistry
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Photosynthesis Research
• Publisher: Spinger Netherlands
• ISSN: 0166-8595
• ISSN (Online): 1573-5079