Electron self-exchange in azurin: calculation of the superexchange electron tunneling rate

Electronic coupling between the copper atoms in an azurin dimer has been calculated in this conformationally well-defined system by using many-electronic wave functions. When one of the two water molecules forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the copper-ligating His-117 of the two azurins is removed, the calculated coupling element is reduced from 2.5 x 10(-6) to 1.1 x 10(-7) eV (1 eV = 1.602 x 10(-19) J). Also, the effects of the relative orientations of the two water molecules have been analyzed. The results show that water molecules may play an important role as switches for biological electron transfer. The rate of electron self-exchange between two azurins has been calculated, and the result is in very good agreement with the rate found experimentally.