Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Mertz B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3145276 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Mertz Blake B Lu Michael M Brown Michael F MF Feller Scott E SE
Biophysical journal 20110801 3
We have performed quantum mechanical calculations for retinal model compounds to establish the rotational energy barriers for the C5-, C9-, and C13-methyl groups known to play an essential role in rhodopsin activation. Intraretinal steric interactions as well as electronic effects lower the rotational barriers of both the C9- and C13-methyl groups, consistent with experimental (2)H NMR data. Each retinal methyl group has a unique rotational behavior which must be treated individually. These resu ...[more]