Reaction centre images
Reaction centre images
Below you will find images of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides RC together with its cofactors. The software used to produce these images is described on the links page.
Front
Periplasmic face
Side
Here we see images of the complete Reaction Centre from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. There are three protein subunits known as L (pale blue), M (pale green) and H (dark blue). These encase several cofactor molecules. (Described below)
Front: L-subunit removed
In the image above the L-subunit has been removed to allow a clear view of the cofactors. The 'special-pair' bacteriochlorophyll molecules (yellow-gold) are in the centre, flanked by the accessory bacteriochlorophylls (orange-gold), which are in turn flanked by the bacteriophaeophytin (pale-gold). The single sphaeroidene (carotenoid) molecule is to the right (red), whilst the Iron ion is pictured in the lower centre (silvery-grey). The ubiquinone-10 (bright-green) is barely visible, but lies to the left of the manganese ion. The cofactors are pictured without the protein subunits in the images below.
Front: Cofactors Only
Periplasmic Cofactor View
The two images above show only the cofactor molecules. The bottom image gives a good view of the bacteriochlorophyll special pair.