Photophysics, Photochemistry and Energetics of UV Light Induced Disulphide Bridge Disruption in apo-α-Lactalbumin

Continuous 295 nm excitation of whey protein bovine apo-α-lactalbumin (apo-bLA) results in an increase of tryptophan fluorescence emission intensity, in a progressive red-shift of tryptophan fluorescence emission, and breakage of disulphide bridges (SS), yielding free thiol groups. The increase in fluorescence emission intensity upon continuous UV-excitation is correlated with the increase in concentration of free thiol groups in apo-bLA. UV-excitation and consequent SS breakage induce conformational changes on apo-bLA molecules, which after prolonged illumination display molten globule spectral features. The rate of tryptophan fluorescence emission intensity increase at 340 nm with excitation time increases with temperature in the interval 9.3–29.9°C. The temperature-dependent 340 nm emission kinetic traces were fitted by a 1st order reaction model. Native apo-bLA molecules with intact SS bonds and low tryptophan emission intensity are gradually converted upon excitation into apo-bLA molecules with disrupted SS, molten-globule-like conformation, high tryptophan emission intensity and red-shifted tryptophan emission. Experimental Ahrrenius activation energy was 21.8 ± 2.3 kJ.mol⁻¹. Data suggests that tryptophan photoionization from the S₁ state is the likely pathway leading to photolysis of SS in apo-bLA. Photoionization mechanism(s) of tryptophan in proteins and in solution and the activation energy of tryptophan photoionization from S₁ leading to SS disruption in proteins are discussed. The observations present in this paper raise concern regarding UV-light pasteurization of milk products. Though UV-light pasteurization is a faster and cheaper method than traditional thermal denaturation, it may also lead to loss of structure and functionality of milk proteins.     

Does Maternal Treatment with Zidovudine Affect Changes in Mandibles of Newborns? Laser Induced Fluorescence Study

The influence of antiretroviral drug zidovudine treatment during pregnancy on mandible development in newborn rats was studied. The fluorescence of mandibles from 7-, 14- and 28-days old individuals was measured by means of fiber-optical fluorescence analyzer with 407 nm laser excitation. Obtained results revealed disturbing effect of maternal zidovudine administration on mandible fluorescence intensity which should decrease with bone development. Small changes in fluorescence of porphyrin forms are maintaining in the first month of newborns life while the changes observed in 440–585 nm range disappear.     

Relation between proteins tertiary structure, tryptophan fluorescence lifetimes and tryptophan S(o)→(1)L(b) and S(o)→(1)L(a) transitions. Studies on α1-acid glycoprotein and β-lactoglobulin

We measured fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence spectra (excitation and emission) of tryptophan residues of α₁-acid glycoprotein (three Trp residues) and β-lactoglobulin (two Trp residues) in absence and presence of 450 μM progesterone. Progesterone binds only to α₁-acid glycoprotein. In absence of progesterone, each of the two proteins displays three fluorescence lifetimes. Addition of progesterone induces a partial inhibition of the S _o → ¹ L _a transition without affecting fluorescence lifetimes. The same experiments performed in presence of denatured proteins in 6 M guanidine show that addition of progesterone inhibits partially the S _o → ¹ L _a transition and its peak is 15 nm shifted to the red compared to that obtained for native proteins. However, the S _o → ¹ L _b transition position peak is not affected by protein denaturation. Thus, the tertiary structure of the protein plays an important role by modulating the tryptophan electronic transitions. Fluorescence emission decay recorded in absence and presence of progesterone yields three fluorescence lifetimes whether proteins are denatured or not. Thus, protein tertiary structure is not responsible for the presence of three fluorescence lifetimes. These characterize tryptophan substructures reached at the excited states and which population (pre-exponential values) depend on the tryptophan residues interaction with their microenvironment(s) and thus on the global conformation of the protein.     

Energy transfer dynamics in B-phycoerythrin from the red alga Porphyridium purpureum

The B-phycoerythrin hexamer (αβ)₆γ of Porphyridium purpureum was isolated and purified. The absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence and ultrafast time-resolved spectra were obtained. The results showed a double absorption peak at 545 nm and 565 nm and a shoulder peak at 498 nm, and fluorescence emission maxima at 580 nm and 620 nm were observed. The circular dichroism spectra in the near-ultraviolet region were obtained and resolved for the first time, which showed that the two peaks at 260 nm and 305 nm were considered to be correlated to phenylalanine (Phe) and tryptophan (Trp) in a conservative hydrophobic microenvironment, respectively. The circular dichroism spectra in the visible region showed that PEB139α/PEB158β and PEB82α/PEB82β existed as two exciton-coupled bilin pairs. Energy transfer within the exciton-coupled pairs was by exciton splitting, while between the exciton-coupled pairs was by Förster resonance. From the studies of the energy transfer dynamics by ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the energy transfer of the B-PE hexamer had three time components of 8 ps, 60 ps, and 1200 ps. In addition, the internal energy transfer pathways of B-phycoerythrin hexamer were identified by deconvoluting the fluorescence decay curve at different detection wavelengths.     

基于密度泛函理论下多肽光谱性质研究

多肽类物质在生物医药等领域是一种重要的生物大分子,而紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱是研究生物分子精细结构的重要手段。采用密度泛函理论（DFT/RI）计算了生长激素释放肽（GHRP-6）和催产素（Oxytocin）两种多肽的结构模型和分子前线轨道;在含时密度泛函理论（TDDFT）的基础上,引入了TDA等近似,建立了多肽类物质的紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱的理论模型。结果表明,实验测得到GHRP-6的紫外-可见吸收光谱最大吸收波长为279 nm,计算得到的最大吸收波长为282 nm,误差为3 nm,误差百分比约为1%;Oxytocin紫外-可见吸收光谱的实验值为275 nm,计算值为269 nm,误差百分比约为2%。GHRP-6荧光光谱计算值为368 nm,实验值为360 nm,误差百分比约为2%;Oxytocin荧光光谱计算值为305 nm,实验值为312 nm,误差百分比约为2%。GHRP-6产生荧光的发射波长与色氨酸产生的荧光波长范围相近,说明GHRP-6产生荧光的主要贡献为色氨酸残基上的π→π*轨道跃迁,Oxytocin荧光峰位置与酪氨酸产生的荧光波长范围相近,Oxytocin产生荧光的主要贡献为酪氨酸残基上的π→π*轨道跃迁。根据该模型计算得到的光谱与实验结果吻合度较高,表明该模型能够准确计算多肽类物质紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱,为实验提供可靠的理论依据。     

Detection and Evaluation of Normal and Malignant Cells Using Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The aim of this research is to study the normalized fluorescence spectra (intensity variations and area under the fluorescence signal), relative quantum yield, extinction coefficient and intracellular properties of normal and malignant human bone cells. Using Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIFS) upon excitation of 405 nm, the comparison of emission spectra of bone cells revealed that fluorescence intensity and the area under the spectra of malignant bone cells was less than that of normal. In addition, the area ratio and shape factor were changed. We obtained two emission bands in spectra of normal cells centered at about 486 and 575 nm and for malignant cells about 482 and 586 nm respectively, which are most likely attributed to NADH and riboflavins. Using fluorescein sodium emission spectrum, the relative quantum yield of bone cells is numerically determined.     

Shifting of Fluorescence Peak in CdS Nanoparticles by Excitation Wavelength Change

CdS nanoparticles with different size are prepared by chemical bath deposition method. These particles show strong fluorescence at emission wavelength of 507 nm. It has been observed that this emission peak changes through a range of 147 nm, by varying the excitation wavelengths through 370–480 nm.The emission peak can thus be tuned by varying the excitation wavelengths. This peak emission wavelength shift is due to the selective excitation of vibronic levels in the surface state of the CdS nanoparticles.     

Fluorescence properties of biochemicals in dry NaCl composite aerosol particles and in solutions

Several fluorophores, such as tryptophan, NADH, NADPH, and riboflavin are found in airborne micro-organisms. In this work, the fluorescence properties of these biochemicals were studied both in dry NaCl composite aerosol particles and in saline solutions by means of laser-induced fluorescence. Fluorescence spectra were measured from individual, airborne aerosol particles and from solutions in cuvette. The excitation wavelength was varied in steps from 210 nm to 419 nm and the fluorescence was detected within a wavelength band of 310–670 nm. For each sample, the measured fluorescence emission spectra were combined into fluorescence maps. The fluorescence maximum of riboflavin in a dry NaCl composite particle is 20 nm red-shifted compared with the solution, whereas the maxima are blue-shifted by about 25 nm for tryptophan and 15 nm for NADH and NADPH. The molecular fluorescence cross sections have significant differences between the aerosol particles and the solutions, except for tryptophan. For NADH and NADPH the cross sections are over 20 times larger in the aerosol particles than in the solutions probably as a result of partial quenching of fluorescence in solution caused by the collision or stacking with the adenine moiety. The fluorescence cross section of riboflavin is almost 60 times larger in the solution than in the dry NaCl composite aerosol. This is probably caused by the different microenvironment around the fluorophore molecule and by the concentration quenching in the particles where the fluorescing molecules are relatively close to each other.     

基于荧光光谱技术研究胶原蛋白溶液中分子的聚集行为

对胶原分子聚集行为的研究,不仅能改善其理化特性,同时也为其在食品、组织工程和生物医药等领域的应用提供理论指导。基于胶原分子中苯丙氨酸(Phe)和酪氨酸(Tyr)的内源荧光特性,采用常规波长、同步荧光和二维(2D)荧光光谱技术研究了不同浓度和温度下胶原分子的聚集行为。研究结果表明：(1)在激发波长275 nm条件下,胶原分子仅在发射波长303 nm处出现了归属于Tyr的特征峰;选取波长差(Δλ)为15 nm的同步荧光扫描胶原分子,发现其在261和282 nm处出现了分别归属于Phe和Tyr的特征峰。(2)特征峰的荧光强度与胶原浓度呈现良好的线性关系,表明了基于常规波长和同步荧光光谱技术对胶原定量分析的可行性。(3)随着胶原浓度的增加,Tyr和Phe的含量逐渐增大,且胶原分子间距逐渐降低并聚集成纤维束,使得Tyr和Phe相互靠近并参与形成大量的氢键,从而导致荧光强度不断增大。然而随着温度的升高,荧光基团与溶剂碰撞的猝灭机会增大,且胶原分子中Tyr和Phe的荧光量子产率逐渐降低,同时胶原分子动能增大,其聚集体逐渐松散,其三股螺旋结构逐渐坍塌,Tyr和Phe参与形成的氢键被破坏,从而导致荧光强度随温度的升高不断降低。(4)275 nm常规波长的2D荧光光谱分析表明,胶原分子在297,303和310 nm处出现了相关峰,其中303 nm归属于Tyr,297 nm归属于胶原分子聚集过程中参与氢键形成的Tyr;310 nm可能归属于Tyr的激发态,其不断的蓝移形成稳定的基团,以便参与氢键的形成,从而促进了胶原分子的聚集。以浓度为外扰的基团响应顺序为303 nm>297 nm>310 nm;以温度为外扰的基团响应顺序为297 nm>310 nm>303 nm。(5)2D同步荧光光谱分析表明,随着胶原浓度和温度的升高,Phe均比Tyr优先响应。综上,采用常规波长、同步荧光光谱技术均能较好的研究胶原分子在不同浓度和温度下的聚集行为,且为胶原的定量分析提供了一种新的方法,但同步荧光光谱技术可将量子产率较低的Phe显现出来,体现了其具有窄化谱带和提升分辨率的优点。此外,结合2D荧光分析技术,可进一步研究胶原分子基团的响应顺序。     

Laser-induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their conjugation with protein

Partially oxidized spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different size are prepared by pulsed laser ablation in water and directly conjugated to protein S-ovalbumin for the first time and characterized by various optical techniques. UV–Visible spectrum of AgNPs showed localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 396 nm which red shift after protein addition. Further the increased concentration of AgNPs resulted a decrease in intensity and broadening of S-ovalbumin peak (278 nm), which can be related to the formation of protein NPs complex caused by the partial adsorption of S-ovalbumin on the surface of AgNPs. The red shift in LSPR peak of AgNPs after mixing with S-ovalbumin and decrease in protein-characteristic peak with increased silver loading confirmed the formation of protein–AgNPs bioconjugates. The effect of laser fluence on the size of AgNPs and nanoparticle–protein conjugation in the size range 5–38 nm is systematically studied. Raman spectra reveal broken disulphide bonds in the conjugated protein and formation of Ag–S bonds on the nanoparticle surface. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed quenching in fluorescence emission intensity of tryptophan residue of S-ovalbumin due to energy transfer from tryptophan moieties of albumin to AgNPs. Besides this, small blue shift in emission peak is also noticed in presence of AgNPs, which might be due to complex formation between protein and nanoparticles. The binding constant (K) and the number of binding sites (n) between AgNPs and S-ovalbumin have been found to be 0.006 M^?1 and 7.11, respectively.     

Origin of Tryptophan Fluorescence Lifetimes. Part 2: Fluorescence Lifetimes Origin of Tryptophan in Proteins

Fluorescence intensity decays of L-tryptophan in proteins dissolved in pH 7 buffer, in ethanol and in 6 M guanidine pH 7.8 and in lyophilized proteins were measured. In all protein conditions, three lifetimes were obtained along the emission spectrum (310–410 nm). The two shortest lifetimes are in the same range of those obtained for L-Trp in water or in ethanol. Thus, these two lifetimes originate from specific two sub-structures existing in the excited state and are inherent to the tryptophan structure independently of the surrounding environment (amino acids residues, solvent, etc.) In proteins, the third lifetime originates from the interactions that are occurring between tryptophan residues and neighboring amino acids. Populations of these lifetimes are independent of the excitation wavelength and thus originate from pre-defined sub structures existing in the excited state and put into evidence after tryptophan excitation. Fluorescence decay studies of different tripeptides having a tryptophan residue in second position show that the best analysis is obtained with two fluorescence lifetimes. Consequently, this result seems to exclude the possibility that peptide bond induces the third fluorescence lifetimes. Indole dissolved in water and/or in ethanol emits with two fluorescence lifetimes that are completely different from those observed for L-Trp. Absence of the third lifetime in ethanol demonstrates that indole behaves differently when compared to tryptophan. Thus, it seems not adequate to attribute fluorescence lifetime or fluorescence properties of tryptophan to indole ring and to compare tryptophan fluorescence properties in proteins to molecules having close structures such as NATA which fluoresces with one lifetime.     

Localization and Environment of Tryptophans in Different Structural States of Concanavalin A

We have investigated the localization and environment of tryptophan residues in different quaternary and conformational states (tetrameric, dimeric, monomeric and unfolded) of metallized and demetallized concanavalin A (ConA) by selective chemical modification, fluorescence, and phosphorescence. ConA has four tryptophan residues (Trp 40, Trp 88, Trp 109 and Trp 182) per subunit. The pattern of oxidation by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) shows that NBS modifies, in dimer, only Trp 182 which remains inaccessible in tetramer, two (Trp 88 along with Trp 182) in monomer, all four in unfolded form in presence of EDTA, and three (possibly Trp 40 along with Trp 88 and Trp 182) in unfolded form from native or remetallized ConA. Utilizing wavelength-selective fluorescence approach, we have observed a red edge excitation shift (REES) of 6–8 nm for tetramer and dimer. A more pronounced REES (11 nm) is observed for oxidized monomer compared to REES (3 nm) for unoxidized species. Acrylamide quenching shows the Stern-Volmer constant (K_SV) for dimer, monomer, unfolded ConA and unfolded apo-ConA being 3.8, 5.2, 12.8, 14.0 M⁻¹, respectively. Phosphorescence studies at 77 K give more structured spectra, with two (0,0) bands at 406.2 (weak) and 413.2 nm for tetramer. However, a single (0,0) band appears at 413.2 for dimer and 412.6 nm for monomer, while the (0,0) band of the oxidized monomer is red shifted to 414.4 nm. These results may provide important insight into subtlety of organization and environment of tryptophans in the context of folding and structural studies of oligomeric proteins including lectins.     

Green & Sensitive pH-dependent Spectrofluorimetric Assay of Tamsulosin Hydrochloride and Tadalafil in their New Combined Formulation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Application to Spiked Human Plasma

Sensitive and green spectrofluorimetric methods were utilized for Tamsulosin Hydrochloride (TAM) and Tadalafil (TDL) assessment in bulk and their newly available combined mixture for benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction. The technique relies on measuring native fluorescence of TAM in 0.1 N HCl at 324 nm and TDL in 0.1 N NaOH at 348 nm due to their different fluorimetric behavior in acidic and basic media where TAM has no fluorescence in basic medium and vice versa. To achieve better regression, the spectra were derivatized allowing determination of TAM at 314 nm and TDL at 320 and 380 nm (peak to peak) by applying third and first derivative, respectively. In addition, pH-dependent “constant-wavelength synchronous” spectrofluorimetry was applied where TAM and TDL were determined at 218 nm in acidic medium and at 268 nm in basic medium, respectively. Finally, derivatizing the latter emission spectra allowed determination of TAM and TDL at 232 nm and at 262 and 278 nm (peak to peak), respectively. Acidic and basic emission spectra where scanned at λ_exc?=?225 nm (for TAM assay) and at λ_exc?=?247 nm (for TDL assay), respectively. Fluorescence–concentration plots were linear and the proposed methods were used for analysis of TAM and TDL combined laboratory prepared formulation. These procedures are green, sensitive and of low cost which make them suitable for quality control analysis of the two drugs. In addition, the high selectivity of the proposed methods was tested by successfully applying them for TAM and TDL assay in plasma samples.

     

Identification of tyrosine in the presence of tryptophan using Cd-enriched colloidal CdS nanoparticles: A fluorescence spectroscopic study

A simpler identification method of tyrosine in the presence of tryptophan using CdS nanoparticles by conventional spectroscopic technique is proposed. Effect of both sulfide-enriched CdS as well as Cd²⁺-enriched CdS on tryptophan is investigated through absorption and emission spectroscopy. Quenching of tryptophan emission obeyed Stern-Volmer relation and was found to be independent of temperature, indicating a possible static quenching. The time-resolved fluorescence decay of tryptophan was minimally affected by sulfide-enriched CdS as well as Cd²⁺-enriched CdS nanoparticles, suggesting quenching to be static. In the presence of Cd²⁺-enriched CdS nanoparticles, the emission of tryptophan in phosphate buffer shows a typical spectral broadening along with a long wavelength increase in fluorescence emission. Additionally, spectra followed a typical isoemissive point at 440 nm when tryptophan alone was there. Similarly, isoemissive point at 340 nm was observed in the case of tyrosine. However, a further red shift of isoemissive point (470 nm) in the mixture of both tyrosine and tryptophan was observed. This observation might make Cd²⁺-enriched CdS nanoparticles useful for using as marker for tyrosine in the presence of tyrptophan.     

Sub-Structures Formed in the Excited State are Responsible for Tryptophan Residues Fluorescence in β-Lactoglobulin

Origin of tryptophan residues fluorescence in β-lactoglobulin is analyzed. Fluorescence lifetimes and spectra of β-lactoglobulin solution are measured at pH going from 2 to 12 and in 6 M guanidine. Tryptophan residues emit with three lifetimes at all conditions. Two lifetimes (0.4–0.5 ns and 2–4 ns) are in the same range of those measured for tryptophan free in solution. Lifetimes in the denatured states are lower than those measured in the native state. Pre-exponential values are modified with the protein structure. Data are identical to those already obtained for other proteins. Fluorescence lifetimes characterize internal states of the tryptophan residues (Tryptophan sub-structures) independently of the tryptophan environments, the third lifetime results from the interaction that is occurring between the Trp residues and its environment. Pre-exponential values characterize substructures populations. In conclusion, tryptophan mission occurs from substates generated in the excited state. This is in good agreement with the theory we described in recent works.     

利用二维同步荧光相关光谱研究温度对胶原溶液中分子聚集行为的影响

采用恒波长同步荧光法和二维相关分析技术研究了不同浓度Ⅰ型胶原溶液中胶原分子聚集行为随温度升高(10~70 ℃)的变化规律。选取0.2,0.4,1.6 mg·mL-1的胶原溶液,在初始温度下各浓度溶液中胶原分子分别处于单分子状态、较低程度和较高程度的聚集态。研究表明：波长差为9 nm的同步荧光光谱中,激发波长282和292 nm处荧光峰分别归属于未参与形成氢键的Tyr(酪氨酸)残基和参与形成氢键的Tyr残基。对升温过程同步荧光数据进行二维相关分析,得两荧光值对温度的响应顺序,进而推测得到：当温度低于30 ℃时,0.2 mg·mL-1溶液中出现了胶原分子间形成Tyr残基参与的氢键的趋势。0.4和1.6 mg·mL-1的溶液中原有聚集体可能发生进一步聚集,形成疏水微区。当逐步接近胶原变性温度(36~38 ℃)时,推测0.4和1.6 mg·mL-1胶原溶液中的疏水微区和聚集体有被破坏的趋势,而0.2 mg·mL-1胶原溶液保持分子间形成氢键的趋势。超过胶原变性温度时,各浓度溶液中胶原分子三股螺旋结构发生松散。当超过45 ℃时,胶原分子三股螺旋结构松散的趋势更为明显。     

Fluorescence Lifetimes of Tryptophan: Structural Origin and Relation with So → 1Lb and So → 1La Transitions

We measured fluorescence lifetimes of L-Tryptophan dissolved in de-ionized water and in ethanol in the absence and the presence of high progesterone concentrations. The hormone absorbs between 220 and 280 with a peak around 250 nm, while its absorption is equal to zero beyond 280 nm. Tryptophan excitation spectrum recorded in presence of progesterone shows that the S_o → ¹L_a transition is completely abolished while the S_o → ¹L_b transition is not affected. Emission of L-tryptophan in water occurs with two fluorescence lifetimes, 0.40 and 2.8 ns. In ethanol, three fluorescence lifetimes equal to around 0.2, 1.8 and 4.8 ns were observed. Addition of progesterone to the medium does not affect any of the fluorescence lifetimes indicating clearly that both transitions could induce tryptophan excitation and that recorded fluorescence lifetimes could be assigned to sub-structures generated in the excited state.     

Binding of Quercetin to Lysozyme as Probed by Spectroscopic Analysis and Molecular Simulation

The binding of quercetin to lysozyme (LYSO) in aqueous solution was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and molecular simulation at pH 7.4. The fluorescence quenching of LYSO by addition of quercetin is due to static quenching, the binding constants, K _a , were 3.63 × 10⁴, 3.31 × 10⁴ and 2.85 × 10⁴ L·mol⁻¹ at 288, 298 and 308 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change, ∆H, and entropy change, ∆S, were noted to be −7.56 kJ·mol⁻¹ and 61.07 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹. The results indicated that hydrophobic interaction may play a major role in the binding process. The distance r between the donor (LYSO) and acceptor (quercetin) was determined as 3.34 nm by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy showed the polarity around the tryptophan residues increased and the hydrophobicity decreased. Furthermore, the study of molecular simulation indicated that quercetin could bind to the active site (a pocket made up of 24 amino-acid residues) of LYSO mainly via hydrophobic interactions and that there were hydrogen interactions between the residues (Gln 57, Ile 98) of LYSO and quercetin. The accessible surface area (ASA) calculation verified the important roles of tryptophan (Trp) residues during the binding process.     

High Sensitivity,Quantitative Measurements of Polyphosphate Using a New DAPI-Based Approach

Polyphosphate (poly-P) is an important metabolite and signaling molecule in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), a widely used fluorescent label for DNA, also interacts with polyphosphate. Binding of poly-P to DAPI, shifts its peak emission wavelength from 475 to 525 nm (excitation at 360 nm), allowing use of DAPI for detection of poly-P in vitro, and in live poly-P accumulating organisms. This approach, which relies on detection of a shift in fluorescence emission, allows use of DAPI only for qualitative detection of relatively high concentrations of poly-P, in the μg/ml range. Here, we report that long-wavelength excitation (≥400 nm) of the DAPI-poly-P complex provides a dramatic increase in the sensitivity of poly-P detection. Using excitation at 415 nm, fluorescence of the DAPI-poly-P complex can be detected at a higher wavelength (550 nm) for as little as 25 ng/ml of poly-P. Fluorescence emission from free DAPI and DAPI-DNA are minimal at this wavelength, making the DAPI-poly-P signal highly specific and essentially independent of the presence of DNA. In addition, we demonstrate the use of this protocol to measure the activity of poly-P hydrolyzing enzyme, polyphosphatase and demonstrate a similar signal from the mitochondrial region of cultured neurons.     

Asymmetry of calmodulin revealed by peptide binding

The binding of amphiphilic peptides to calmodulin has been studied using fluorescence energy transfer techniques. Calmodulin has no tryptophan residues but possesses two tyrosines (at positions 99 and 138) in the C-terminal half of the protein. The peptides have a single tryptophan which serves as energy acceptor for the protein tyrosine fluorescence. For the binding of mastoparan or peptide Baa17, with a tryptophan at position 3, the observed quenching of the tyrosine fluorescence of over a factor of 2 corresponds to an average tyrosine-trytophan distance of less than 14 Å. These results indicate that the peptides binds preferentially with the tryptophan in the C-terminal half of the protein.