A Membrane‐Associated Light‐Harvesting Model is Enabled by Functionalized Assemblies of Gene‐Doubled TMV Proteins

Abstract

AbstractPhotosynthetic light harvesting requires efficient energy transfer within dynamic networks of light‐harvesting complexes embedded within phospholipid membranes. Artificial light‐harvesting models are valuable tools for understanding the structural features underpinning energy absorption and transfer within chromophore arrays. Here, a method for attaching a protein‐based light‐harvesting model to a planar, fluid supported lipid bilayer (SLB) is developed.  The protein model consists of the tobacco mosaic viral capsid proteins that are gene‐doubled to create a tandem dimer (dTMV). Assemblies of dTMV break the facial symmetry of the double disk to allow for differentiation between the disk faces. A single reactive lysine residue is incorporated into the dTMV assemblies for the site‐selective attachment of chromophores for light absorption. On the opposing dTMV face, a cysteine residue is incorporated for the bioconjugation of a peptide containing a polyhistidine tag for association with SLBs. The dual‐modified dTMV complexes show significant association with SLBs and exhibit mobility on the bilayer. The techniques used herein offer a new method for protein‐surface attachment and provide a platform for evaluating excited state energy transfer events in a dynamic, fully synthetic artificial light‐harvesting system.