Biomedical subjects

George S Hammond

Publications and source records attributed to George S Hammond.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Possible role of the 11-cis-retinyl conformation in controlling the dual decay processes of excited rhodopsin.

In this work, we examine how the reported dual decay processes of rhodopsin and binding site stereospecificity can be accounted for by the recently available crystal structure of rhodopsin. Arguments are presented for possible presence of two rhodopsin "rotamers" that fit within the binding cavity. Directed pathways of decay could account for the observed excited decay processes. We summarize evidence for the possible existence of two different ground-state configurations that give rise to two different excited species.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2005

Reflection on medium effects on photochemical reactivity.

In reexamining medium effects on photochemical reactions, we have emphasized those on unequilibrated excited species such as the Franck-Condon species. Despite recent advances in femtochemistry, such a discussion in molecular photochemistry is uncommon, and the problem remains challenging on account of the extremely short-lived excited species. However, in such cases, a small perturbation resulting from, for example, weak guest-host interactions could turn into a determining factor in dictating the course of a photochemical channel of deactivation. Examples of medium-directed diabatic processes have been examined with this idea in mind. A modified view on rhodopsin photoisomerization is presented along with the consideration that confinement does not necessarily lead to inhibition of reactions of the trapped substrate.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Photochemical reactivity of polyenes: from dienes to rhodopsin, from microseconds to femtoseconds.

In reviewing the photochemistry of polyenes (from dienes and trienes to the visual retinyl chromophore), we categorize condensed-phase photochemical reactivity of molecules into two groups: those from thermally equilibrated excited species and those from unequilibrated excited species. Classical theories on radiationless transitions are useful for rationalizing the reactivity of molecules belonging to the first set only. The second group includes many of the exciting ultrafast photochemical reactions reported recently for polyenes (including dienes and trienes), in some cases with rates faster than vibrational relaxation. Much of the excited singlet-state reactions of polyenes, including the Hula-twist mechanism of photoisomerization, have been integrated with concepts introduced in other ultrafast spectroscopic/photochemical studies. Taking into consideration the special environment of the retinyl chromophore in rhodopsin, we propose a new mechanism for the phototrigger that accounts for its unusually fast rate of isomerization.

Free Radicals↗