Photo-CIDNP studies of amino acids and proteins

The ultimate aim of the research described in this thesis is the development of methods with which ope may study the structure and function of proteins on a molecular level. This is done with the help of a combination of NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and flash photolysis, in which light initiated reactions between a chromophore and an amino acid induce abnormal NMR intensities. Chapters 1, 2 and 3: In the first chapter, a brief introduction of CIDNP and its application to proteins is given, followed by a short description of each chapter. The second chapter is an introductory review, covering the basics of the NMR experiment in the first part, and the theory behind the CIDNP phenomenon in the second. Chapter three describes the experimental apparatus and methods. Chapter 4: Photosensitization The light initiated chemical reaction between photosensitizer and amino acid residue is studied in detail for the case of FMN (flavinmononucleotide) and the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan and histidine. An introduction is given of further sensitizers which have been found to generate CIDNP on amino acids, and which are used in later chapters. Chapter 5: CIDNP of Amino Acids and Proteins The typical CIDNP spectra of the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan and histidine are introduced and elucidated in the first half of this chapter. Photo-CIDNP on the proteins ribonuclease A and Hen Egg White Lysozyme with the photosensitizers FMN, thionin and eosin Y are described in the second half. Chapter 6: CIDNP in Micellar Solutions The presence of detergent, below and above the critical micelle concentration, is shown to affect CIDNP intensities, due to electrostatic interactions between charged dye and detergent molecules. In the last part of this chapter, photo-CIDNP experiments with the membrane protein gramicidin A, incorporated in detergent and lipid micelles, are described. Chapter 7: CIDNP Study of the Tryptophan Radical CIDNP spectra are characteristic of the transient radical intermediates which are generated during the flash photolysis. Here, the tryptophan radicals g-factor is estimated with the help of the CIDNP dependence on the magnetic field in which the flash-photolysis takes place. (author)