Bacteriorhodopsin: the functional details of a molecular machine are being resolved

摘要: The photon-driven proton translocator bacteriorhodopsin is considered to be the best understood membrane protein so far. It nowadays regarded as a model system for photosynthesis, ion pumps and seven transmembrane receptors. profound knowledge came from applicability of variety modern biophysical techniques which have often been further developed with research on delivered major contributions also other areas. Most prominent examples are electron crystallography, solid-state NMR spectroscopy time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy. recently introduced method crystallising in lipidic cubic phase led high-resolution structures ground state some photocycle intermediates. This achievement combination spectroscopic results will strongly advance our understanding functional mechanism atomic level. We present here current specific aspects structural dynamics photoreaction focus established institute.