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Phytochromes are bimodal photoswitches composed of a photosensor and an output module. Photoactivation of the sensor is initiated by a double bond isomerization of the tetrapyrrole chromophore and eventually leads to protein conformational changes. Recently determined structural models of phytochromes identify differences between the inactive and the signalling state but do not reveal the mechanism of photosensor activation or deactivation. Here, we report a vibrational spectroscopic study on bathy phytochromes that demonstrates that the formation of the photoactivated state and thus (de)activation of the output module is based on proton translocations in the chromophore pocket coupling chromophore and protein structural changes. These proton transfer steps, involving the tetrapyrrole and a nearby histidine, also enable thermal back-isomerization of the chromophore via keto-enol tautomerization to afford the initial dark state. Thus, the same proton re-arrangements inducing the (de)activation of the output module simultaneously initiate the reversal of this process, corresponding to a negative feedback mechanism.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nchem.2225

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nature chemistry

Publication Date

05/2015

Volume

7

Pages

423 - 430

Addresses

Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Sekr. PC 14, Straße des 17. Juni 135, Berlin D-10623, Germany.

Keywords

Protons, Phytochrome, Signal Transduction, Models, Molecular, Feedback