Demonstration of asymmetric electron conduction in pseudosymmetrical photosynthetic reaction centre proteins in an electrical circuit

Muhammad Kamran, Vincent M. Friebe, Juan D. Delgado, Thijs J. Aartsma, Raoul N. Frese and Michael R. Jones ()
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Muhammad Kamran: Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University
Vincent M. Friebe: LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam
Juan D. Delgado: LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam
Thijs J. Aartsma: Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University
Raoul N. Frese: LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam
Michael R. Jones: School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Photosynthetic reaction centres show promise for biomolecular electronics as nanoscale solar-powered batteries and molecular diodes that are amenable to atomic-level re-engineering. In this work the mechanism of electron conduction across the highly tractable Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre is characterized by conductive atomic force microscopy. We find, using engineered proteins of known structure, that only one of the two cofactor wires connecting the positive and negative termini of this reaction centre is capable of conducting unidirectional current under a suitably oriented bias, irrespective of the magnitude of the bias or the applied force at the tunnelling junction. This behaviour, strong functional asymmetry in a largely symmetrical protein–cofactor matrix, recapitulates the strong functional asymmetry characteristic of natural photochemical charge separation, but it is surprising given that the stimulus for electron flow is simply an externally applied bias. Reasons for the electrical resistance displayed by the so-called B-wire of cofactors are explored.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7530

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