Fourier Transform Infrared Difference Spectra of Intermediates in Rhodopsin Bleaching

Abstract
The membrane protein rhodopsin is the primary light receptor in vision. Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy is sensitive to conformational changes in both the protein and the retinylidene chromophore of rhodopsin. By blocking rhodopsin bleaching at specific intermediates, it is possible to elucidate some of the primary molecular events of vision.