Lipid-protein interactions in bacterial reaction centers reconstituted into liposomes

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The aim of the research is to contribute toward an understanding how lipid-protein interactions in membrane proteins modify the properties of molecules that undergo oxidation-reduction reactions. These interactions are crucial for basic processes, such as electron and proton transfer reactions. The model systems are membrane-bound photosynthetic reaction centers isolated from purple bacteria. The experimental approach is focused on systematic reconstitution of the reaction center protein into different artificial membrane systems:liposomes and mixed lipid-detergent micelles.  The alterations in the surrounding lipid environment of the reaction center protein should reflect in changes of the parameters of the electron and proton transfer reactions involving the redox cofactors and nearby protonatable amino acid side chains. The ultimate goal of the project is to assemble a proteoliposome system where the electron and proton transfer parameters are optimized and closely resemble the native system. The results of these model systems can provide basic information important to better understanding the processes fundamental to energy conversion.