Electronic energy transfer in DNA photolyase: A molecular orbital study

A unique feature of the photolyase class of enzymes is that electronic energy transfer from one chromophore (5,10-methylenetetrahydro-folate) to another (FADH −) is part of the natural function of the enzyme. We have previously used time-resolved fluorescence and applied the Förster energy transfer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 1997-03, Vol.38 (1), p.31-34
Main Author: Heelis, Paul F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
DNA photolyase
Long-range energy transfer
Molecular orbital calculations
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Summary:A unique feature of the photolyase class of enzymes is that electronic energy transfer from one chromophore (5,10-methylenetetrahydro-folate) to another (FADH −) is part of the natural function of the enzyme. We have previously used time-resolved fluorescence and applied the Förster energy transfer equations to calculate a folate to flavin distance of 21.7 Å. However, a recent measurement using X-ray crystallography yielded a value of 16.8 Å. Thus the energy transfer process was re-examined using molecular orbital calculations to o try to explain the discrepancy between the two techniques. It is shown that the disagreement between the two studies is due to the poor alignment of the transition dipole vectors of the donor and acceptor in DNA photolyase, despite the fact that it is expected that the enzyme will evolve to attain the most suitable orientation for energy transfer.
ISSN:1011-1344
1873-2682
DOI:10.1016/S1011-1344(96)07407-6