Photochemical characterization of IlaC variants. (A) Kinetics of the dark recovery of IlaC derivatives from the lit (Pfr) state. Plotted are changes in absorbance at 755 nm over time following 5-min excitation with 700-nm light. Blue trace, IlaC22 k27; green trace, IlaC22 k27 Y259F. Half of the Pfr form of IlaC22 k27 decayed after 46 ± 3 s and half of the Pfr form of the IlaC22 k27 Y259F mutant decayed after 197 ± 9 s. (B) Plate assays of the IlaC k22 dark recovery mutants. (C) Light-induced spectral changes in IlaC22 derivatives. Black (Pr), before irradiation; red (Pfr), after irradiation with 700-nm light; Δ, difference (Pfr − Pr) spectra. IlaC22 k27 (Left); IlaC22 k27 Y259F (Right).