Multiple Photoisomerization Pathways of the Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore in a Reversibly Photoswitchable Fluorescent Protein: Insights from Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Simulations

Herein, we have employed a combined CASPT2//CASSCF approach within the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) framework to explore the early time photoisomerization of rsEGFP2 starting from its two OFF trans states, i.e., Trans1 and Trans2. The results show similar vertical excitation energies to the S1 state in their Franck- Condon regions. Considering the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the C11-C9 bond, four pairs of the S1 excited-state minima and low-lying S1/S0 conical intersections were optimized, based on which we determined four S1 photoisomerization paths that are essentially barrierless to the relevant S1/S0 conical intersections leading to efficient excited state deactivation to the S0 state. Most importantly, our work first identified multiple photoisomerization and excited-state decay paths, which must be seriously considered in the future. This work not only sheds significant light on the primary trans-cis photoisomerization of rsEGFP2 but also aids in the understanding of the microscopic mechanism of GFP-like RSFPs and the design of novel GFP-like fluorescent proteins.

Automated summary

In this study, a combined CASPT2//CASSCF approach within the QM/MM framework was used to investigate the early time photoisomerization of rsEGFP2 starting from its two OFF trans states, Trans1 and Trans2. The results showed similar vertical excitation energies in the Franck-Condon regions. By considering rotations of the C11-C9 bond, four pairs of excited-state minima and low-lying conical intersections were optimized, leading to the determination of four barrierless photoisomerization paths to efficient excited state deactivation. This work identified multiple photoisomerization and excited-state decay paths, providing significant insights for the understanding of GFP-like RSFPs and the design of novel GFP-like fluorescent proteins.