石北研究室

Material

Theoretical Chemistry

Clarify a relationship between functions and structures of proteins on the basis of theoretical chemistry

Overview

Proteins consist of only 20 types of amino acids, while they show large variety in their functions, e.g., redox activity, transporter, sensor, and antibodies. Protein functions can be fully explained by the molecular structure even if the functions are seemingly complicated. To clarify a relationship between functions and structures of proteins, we analyze protein structures at an atomic level and calculate physical or chemical constants on the basis of theoretical chemistry. “Just computing molecules” is not in our interest. Our mission is to uncover new but simple principles essential to the protein science. For example, we are trying to clarify the reaction mechanisms of natural photosynthetic proteins, e.g., oxygen evolution, electron transfer, and proton transfer reactions. We also develop new tools for analysis of protein function.

Instructor / Laboratory
Hiroshi ISHIKITA
ISHIKITA Laboratory
光合成蛋白質におけるプロトン共役電子移動
Proton coupled electron transfer in photosynthetic protein

 

ロドプシンでは蛋白質が吸収波長と機能を同時に制御している
Rhodopsin proteins control their absorption wavelength and functions simultaneously
蛋白質におけるクロロフィルの吸収波長調整機構
Mechanism of absorption-wavelength tuning of chlorophylls in proteins

Hiroshi ISHIKITA / ISHIKITA Laboratory