Unexpected electron transfer in cryptochrome identified by time-resolved EPR spectroscopy

Subtle differences in the local sequence and conformation of amino acids can result in diversity and specificity in electron transfer (ET) in proteins, despite structural conservation of the redox partners. For individual ET steps, distance is not necessarily the decisive parameter; orientation and solvent accessibility of the ET partners, and thus the stabilization of the charge-separated states, contribute substantially.     

Time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence in flavodoxins

The time-resolved fluorescence characteristics of tryptophan in flavodoxins isolated from the bacteriaDesulfovibrio gigas, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, Clostridium beijerinckii, andMegasphaera elsdenii were examined. The fluorescence decays were recorded using pulsed synchrotron radiation as the excitation source and time-correlated single-photon counting in detection. The results were analyzed as lifetime distributions using the maximum entropy method. Comparison of the fluorescence decays of normal and flavin mononucleotide-depleted flavodoxins demonstrates that radiationless energy transfer from tryptophan to flavin occurs in all flavodoxins investigated. On comparing the lifetime distribution patterns of apo and holoflavodoxins, it was noticed that a certain amount of apoprotein is present in all holoflavodoxin samples. The three-dimensional structure of two flavodoxins allowed us to compare experimental with theoretical transfer rates and the results were in fair agreement.     

Triplet state sublevel spectroscopy applied to proteins

Triplet state sublevel spectroscopy using optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) in zero magnetic field can be successfully employed to study (i) the environment of tryptophan (Trp) residues in a protein by observing the position and structure of phosphorescence spectra, zero field ODMR transitions and triplet state sublevel kinetics, (ii) the energy transfer among Trp residues, and (iii) whether any cysteine (Cys) residue is within van der Waals distance of any Trp residue by studying the complex of the protein with methylmercury(II) iodide (CH₃HgI) which binds to Cys residues. These studies are particularly important where crystal structure study is not possible. Study of the S₁ state often gives ambiguous results since fluorescence is always broad and shows multi-exponential decay. Our results on bacteriophage lysozyme T4 which contains three Trp residues at positions 126, 138 and 158 are presented. Measurements were facilitated by the use of a mutated enzyme containing one or two Trp-Tyr substitutions. The results indicate that (i) Trp 126 and 158 are solvent exposed, whereas Trp 138 is buried in a hydrophobic environment, (ii)S ↔S non-radiative energy transfer takes place predominantly from Trp 126 to Trp 158, and (iii) only Trp-158 undergoes a heavy atom perturbation, which affects selectively the z-sublevel (z is an out-of-plane axis of the indole plane) as a result of CH₃HgI binding to nearby Cys 97. We suggest that the Hg atom is located on the z-axis of Trp 158 in the complex. This interpretation is based on our investigations on the effect of orientation of heavy atom perturbers in some naphthalene-crown ether metal ion complexes.     

甲基营养细菌No1甲胺脱氢酶的纯化和性质研究

甲基营养细菌Ｎｏ１甲胺脱氢酶是以色氨酸－色氨酰醌为辅基的一种特殊氧化还原酶．粗酶液经纯化后，其比活力和收得率分别为５．１ｎｍｏｌ·ｇ－１和２８％．该酶的分子量为６７０００，等电点为８．３和８．５，组成它的大、小两个亚基的分子量分别为３７０００和１５０００．甲胺脱氢酶有较好的耐热性，它能催化包括一级甲胺和二胺在内的底物反应，与甲胺反应的Ｋｍ值为２６．６μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１，最适ｐＨ为８．０．其酶催化反应可被Ｃｕ２＋抑制．该酶的吸收光谱是，在３２８ｎｍ和４２６ｎｍ呈现两个特征峰     

Indirect fluorescence detection of amino sugars with the use of copper complexes of tryptophan and its analogues following high-performance liquid chromatographic separation

A simple, indirect fluorescence detection method has been developed for detecting specific mono-amino sugars (D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine, D-mannosamine) following chromatographic separation. The eluting amino sugars release L-tryptophan (L-Trp) from a copper-tryptophan complex which is introduced postcolumn. Analyte detection is based on measuring the increase in L-Trp fluorescence, which is quenched when complexed with copper. Two tryptophan analogues, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) and DL-5-methoxytryptophan (5-MTP), were also evaluated as postcolumn reagents. 5-MTP was found to be a suitable alternative to L-Trp for the detection of these mono-amino sugars. Detection limits for D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine, and D-mannosamine are in the range of 0.15-0.30 nmol injected.     

Two‐dimensional stimulated ultraviolet resonance Raman spectra of tyrosine and tryptophan: a simulation study

We report an ab initio simulation study of the ultrafast broad bandwidth ultraviolet stimulated resonance Raman spectra (SRRS) of l ‐tyrosine, l ‐tryptophan, and trans‐l ‐tryptophan‐l ‐tyrosine (WY) dipeptide. Two‐pulse one‐dimensional SRRS and three‐pulse two‐dimensional SRRS that reveal inter‐residue and intra‐residue vibrational correlations are simulated using electronically resonant or pre‐resonant pulse configurations that select the Raman signal and discriminate against excited state pathways. Multimode effects are incorporated via the cumulant expansion. The two‐dimensional SRRS technique is more sensitive to residue couplings than spontaneous Raman. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence on drug efficacy of the binding behavior of pioglitazone hydrochloride with tryptophan residues,and tyrosine residues in bovine transferrin

Abstract

The interaction of pioglitazone hydrochloride bound to tryptophan residues and tyrosine residues in bovine transferrin was investigated using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy at various temperatures (298, 310, and 318?K). From binding constants and thermodynamic parameters, it was shown that 1:1 stable compound was formed by the electrostatic force interaction of pioglitazone hydrochloride bound to tryptophan residues and tyrosine residues in bovine transferrin. The extent of binding between pioglitazone hydrochloride and tryptophan residues in bovine transferrin was more than that between pioglitazone hydrochloride and tyrosine residues in bovine transferrin. At 310?K, the fluorescence quenching ratio number of tyrosine residues and tryptophan residues in bovine transferrin were 47.52% and 54.19%, respectively, which indicated that the fluorescence contribution of tryptophan residues was greater. At 310?K, pioglitazone hydrochloride-tyrosine residues(in bovine transferrin) binding rate were 55.60–73.82%, and the combined model was W?=??0.0315R²???0.1520R?+?0.7385. The value of Hill’s coefficients was greater than 1, which suggested that there was a positive cooperativity between pioglitazone hydrochloride and subsequent ligands. The results of molecular docking were consistent with that of experimental calculation.     

Conoideoxime A,antibacterial bis-oxime prenyl-tryptophan dimer from the whitefly pathogenic fungus Conoideocrella luteorostrata BCC 76664

Conoideoxime A (1), a prenyl-tryptophan dimer possessing bis-oxime functionality, was isolated from cultures of the whitefly pathogenic fungus Conoideocrella luteorostrata BCC 76664. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. It displayed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 3.13, 6.25, and 6.25?μg/mL, respectively.     

Photoinduced electron transfer between hen egg white lysozyme and anticancer drug menadione

The protein, hen egg white lysozyme, on photoexcitation undergoes electron transfer with menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), a widely known anticancer drug. With the addition of menadione the fluorescence of lysozyme is quenched with the simultaneous formation of an excited state charge-transfer complex in the longer wavelength and a ground state complex. The former is further evident from laser flash photolysis studies, which indicate a tryptophan to menadione electron transfer. From fluorescence quenching studies the binding constant is found to be ∼1.7×10⁴ M⁻¹ with the corresponding changes in enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) as 12.24 kJ mol⁻¹ and 124.12 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, indicative of an entropy-driven process. The circular dichroism studies also show some structural changes with increase in α-helical content in the protein on interaction with menadione. Finally, docking studies give some insight into the role of Trp 108 of lysozyme in the interaction.