CRC 1078/3: Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function - Structural basis of proton release from the water-oxidizing complex in cyanobacterial photosystem II (SP A05)
Abstract
The central aim of this project is to resolve the individual mechanistic steps of water oxidation at the Mn4CaO5 cluster analyzed by diffraction from femtosecond X-ray laser pulses at room temperature. By synchronizing the light-dependent advance of the reaction with diffraction experiments, unprecedented insights into the individual roles of the metal ions and water ligands could be gained. In the next funding period we want to increase the resolution and resolve the later steps of the Kok cycle, during which dioxygen is formed. This will be supported by using alternative substrates, enzyme variants and complementary methods, such as neutron diffraction.
Principal investigators
- Zouni, Athina PD Dr. ⧉ (Department of Biology)
- Dobbek, Holger Prof. Dr. rer. nat. ⧉ (Structural Biology / Biochemistry)
Financer
DFG Collaborative Research Centre
Duration of project
Start date: 01/2021
End date: 12/2024
