PICOSECOND TIME RESOLVED FLUORESCENCE OF CHLOROPHYLL IN VIVO

Abstract. The published data concerning the fluorescence kinetics of chlorophyll a in various photosynthetic species are reviewed. The effects of singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet annihilation induced by excessively high incident light intensities are discussed and related to the changes produced in the fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yields. We also review the fluorescence lifetimes of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and spinach chloroplast fragments under a variety of experimental conditions; these measurements were performed at single pulse excitation intensities of less than 5 × 10¹³ photons cm^–2 where distortion due to annihilation processes is negligible. Evidence for and against a time dependent rate equation for energy migration will be discussed with reference to the authors' work on in vitro systems.     

FLUORESCENCE OF COMPLEXES OF QUINACRINE MUSTARD WITH DNA. I. INFLUENCE OF THE DNA BASE COMPOSITION ON THE DECAY TIME IN BACTERIA

The fluorescence of several bacterial DNAs stained with quinacrine mustard have been investigated using a laser microfluorometer with a spatial resolution of - 0.3 μm and a temporal resolution of ?0.3 ns connected to a digital signal averager. Experiments performed on Micrococcus lysodeikticus samples show that both cytological preparations and the corresponding purified DNAs give coincident fluorescence curves, thus indicating that the fluorescence observed in the former case is to be attributed to the bacterial DNA only. Experiments thereafter performed on smears of several bacteria with known AT percentages show that each fluorescence decay curve, after a fast transient, can be fitted by an exponential decay law with a single time constant. This time constant has been found to depend linearly on the square of the AT percentage. We explain this result on the basis of an energy transfer mechanism between dye molecules intercalating AT:AT sequences (donors) and dye molecules bound to either GC:GC or GC:AT sequences (acceptors). The agreement with the experimental data requires that all the bacteria considered present a common value for both the number of base pairs contained in a Förster sphere and for the maximum saturation of the strong binding process.     

THE REACTION OF METHYLENE WITH METHYL CHLORIDE THE EFFECT OF EXCESS ENERGY IN METHYLENE

Abstract This paper reports studies of the reaction between methyl chloride and methylene produced by the photolysis of ketene in the two spectral regions Λ? 2600 Å to 3200 Å and Λ? 3220 Å. The course of reactin is best described by an abstraction process CH₂+ CH₂CI—Ch₂CI + CH₃ followed by recombination of the CH₃ and CH₂ Cl radicals to yield C₂H₅, C₂H₅Cl, C₂H₄Cl₂. The recombination processes are highly exothermic, and excitation of the product molecules occurs, which in the case of C₂H₅Cl and C₂H₄Cl₂ leads to some unimolecular decomposition. It is shown that the rate constant for the decomposition of ethyl chloride depends upon the wavelength of the radiation used to photolyse the ketene, and it is suggested that the excess energy with which the methylene is born is handed on to the alkyl radicals. A simplified kinetic analysis of the system is given, and it is shown that the relative reactivity of methylene towards ketene and methyl chloride increases with an increase in the energy of the methylene. The rates of product formation predicted on the basis of the kinetic scheme agree satisfactorily with the measured values. “Insertion” of methylene into C-H and C-CI bonds has been postulated by other workers. The present results are inconsisistent with an insertion mechanism, since such a mechanism does not account for all the observed products. The effect of wavelength of photolysis and of total pressure predicted on the basis of an insertion process is the reverse of that observed experimentally.     

THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF BONELLIN: A CHLORIN FOUND IN MARINE ANIMALS

The photophysical properties of bonellin, a free-base chlorin, were studied in ethanolic solution. For the singlet excited state the following data were determined: an energy level, E^B_S= 187 ± 2kJ mol^-1, a lifetime, τ_f= 6.3± 0.1ns at 298 K, and fluorescence quantum yields, φ_r= 0.07 ± 0.02 (298 K) and 0.20 ± 0.04 (77 K). The S₁→ T intersystem crossing quantum yield was φ_isc= 0.85 ± 0.1. No phosphorescence was observed at 298 K and 77 K. Based on quenching experiments the triplet state energy level was determined to be E^B_T= 180 ± 20 kJ mol^-1. A unimolecular decay rate constant, k₁= (2.3 ± 0.5)· 10³ s^-1 at room temperature, and a molar absorption coefficient, ε^T₄₄₃= 9500 ± 500 M^-1 cm^-1, were obtained for the triplet state. This species was quenched by O₂ with ko₂= (1.7 ±0.3)· 10⁸M^-1 s^-1, and by benzoquinone with k_q= (5.2 ± 0.3)-10⁹M^-1 s^-1. The latter value, as well as the high value determined for the triplet annihilation rate constant, k₂= (2 ± 0.5)· 10⁹M^-1 s^-1, might reflect an electron transfer mechanism. Copper bonellin had a shorter triplet lifetime (>20 ns), which offers a possible explanation for its lack of photodynamic action.     

ENERGY TRANSFER AND PHOTOOXIDATION KINETICS IN REACTION CENTERS ON THE PICOSECOND TIME SCALE

Abstract— Picosecond 530 nm actinic and 1242 nm probe light pulses have been used to measure the kinetics of energy transfer and photooxidation in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R-26 reaction centers. The energy transfer rate between bacteriopheophytin and the bacteriochlorophyll dimer is 1.0 ± 0.3 ± 10¹¹s^-land photooxidation of the dimer occurs within 5 ps after the dimer reaches the first excited singlet state. Using these parameters in a simple model we are able to explain the odd result that the number of reaction centers oxidized by a saturating 530 nm actinic picopulse is only 60% of the number oxidized by a saturating CW light source.     

半胱氨酸铜络合物的生成及其结构的研究

本文研究了在不同pH值下,半胱氨酸与CuCl_2络合生成的三种不同的络合物。在酸性溶液中,半胱氨酸与CuCl_2通过络合反应、自氧化还原反应,最后生成带氯桥的络合物[Cu_2(Ⅰ)Cl_2(cysH_2)]的白色粉末,(cysH_2为半胱氨酸)。在碱性溶液中,若反应在空气中进行,半胱氨酸与CuCl_2经氧化还原反应,结果生成天蓝色络合物(Cu_2(Ⅱ)(cyss)_2],(cyss~(2-)为胱氨酸根);若反应在绝氧条件下进行,它们则先络合,然后二聚成黑色络合物[Cu_2(Ⅱ)(cys)_2·6H_2O)。根据化学分析以及IR和ESR谱的研究,推测了这三种络合物的可能结构。     

TIME-RESOLVED RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BACTERIORHODOPSIN PHOTOCYCLE ON THE PICOSECOND AND NANOSECOND TIME SCALES

Abstract— Resonance Raman spectra of the picosecond bacteriorhodopsin intermediate(s) have been obtained by microbeam, flow and subtraction techniques using a synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser. Nanosecond spectra also were measured with this laser by cavity dumping without mode-locking. The picosecond spectra in the fingerprint region, which is sensitive to the configuration of the retinal chromophore, differ from spectra of the parent bR₅₇₀ but could be correlated to the spectrum of bR^DA₅₅₀ , a “13-cis” species which has been determined from spectra of bR₅₇₀ and bR^DA₅₆₀. The picosecond transient and bR^DA₅₅₀ also are similar in the 950–1050 cm^-1“deuteration fingerprint” region when the medium is changed from H₂O to D₂O. These results suggest that trans—cis isomerization occurs during the 40-ps pulse duration. The shift relative to the parent bR₅₇₀ in the ethylenic stretch region suggests that the picosecond and nanosecond transients absorb at wavelengths longer than 570 nm. The C band at 1646 cm^-1 is found to shift or to broaden upon photolysis in the picosecond time scale. This might suggest a change in the electronic structure of the group and its environment on the picosecond time domain. The nanosecond spectra obtained in this work (with 15-ns pulses) are similar to the spectra previously observed on the 100-ns time scale but are slightly different from the picosecond spectrum. These data suggest that more than one transient species appears on the picosecond-to-nanosecond time scale. The temporal evolution of Raman bands in the fingerprint as well as the low energy (950–1050 cm^-1) region and its implications are discussed.     

PICOSECOND FLUORESCENCE DECAY TIME MEASUREMENTS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— We report the room-temperature fluorescence decay times of calf thymus DNA when native and when 16% of its guanine residues are methylated at theN–7 position. The samples were excited with single, 25 ps, 266 nm laser pulses from a frequency-quadrupled Nd: YAG laser. Fluorescence was detected with a streak camera-optical multichannel analyzer system that has a time jitter of about 2 ps. For DNA and methylated DNA we detected a major component that has a decay time of about 10 and 20 ps, respectively. A second component has a corresponding decay time of about 65 and 80 ps and makes a contribution of0–10% and20–40% depending on the transmission characteristics of the emission filter employed. In contrast, the decay time of 7-methyl GMP, which contains the same fluorophore as methylated DNA, is approximately single exponential and has a decay time of180–210 ps depending on the emission filter. The absence of a pronounced time delay between the fluorescence decay profiles of the nucleic acids and the exciting light pulse points against the formation of excited-state complexes (excimers).     

PICOSECOND DYNAMICS OF THE EXCITED STATE RELAXATIONS IN PHYTOCHROME

Abstract— A comparative study of the picosecond kinetics of rye ( Secale cereale L.) phytochrome, its 39 and 23 kDa chromopeptides and deuterated rye phytochrome has been carried out. Evidence is presented that the fluorescence decay of Pr contains a very short lifetime component (14 ps) which has escaped detection in the fluorescence studies reported so far. Thus, the overall decay is well described by four exponential components, two rapid (14 and 44 ps) and two slower ones (157 and 690 ps). The fluorescence decays of deuterated Pr and of a 39 and 23 kDa chromopeptide of Pr also require the analysis in terms of four exponentials for a good fit. Some of the lifetime and amplitude values obtained differ significantly from the values estimated for Pr. In the chromopeptides, the two longer components have distinctly slower decays. For the two faster components the lifetimes remain approximately the same, but their relative amplitudes vary greatly. In deuterated Pr, the lifetimes are affected only slightly by deuteration. In contrast, the decay amplitudes are strikingly altered. Moreover, from a rate equation simulation modelling the observed fluorescence kinetics, it turns out that the yields for the various deactivation steps in the chromopeptides and in deuterated Pr reveal differences from the corresponding values in Pr. The implications of the results presented with respect to the influence of the protein moiety of Pr on the picosecond relaxation process are discussed.     

PHOTO-OXIDATION OF LYSOZYME IN THE PRESENCE OF METHYLENE BLUE: A PROBABLE MECHANISM

Abstract— In order to elucidate the mechanism of the photo-oxidation of lysozyme sensitized by methylene blue this enzyme was oxidized by singlet oxygen generated by a high–frequency discharge in gaseous oxygen. The action of singlet oxygen on lysozyme gives products identical with those obtained upon dye-sensitized oxidation with respect to their affinity to chitin, their amino acid content, their UV spectra and their enzymic activity. It is concluded that photo-oxidation of lysozyme in the presence of methylene blue proceeds according to the singlet-oxygen mechanism.     

THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF MEROCYANINE 540. A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ETHANOL AND IN LIPOSOMES

Abstract— Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, photoisomerization quantum yields and triplet quantum yields were measured for Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in ethanol and in large unilamellar dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The major differences in the photophysics between the two media are the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield from 0.15 in ethanol to 0.6 in vesicles at 25° C, and the appearance of a second fluorescence decay with a lifetime of 1.87 ns in the latter medium. Upper and lower limits for the photoisomerization quantum yields were determined by combining the data from laser flash photolysis and optoacoustic spectroscopy. The decrease in photoisomerization quantum yield upon incorporation of the dye into the lipid bilayer by a factor 2 suggests that this process competes directly with fluorescence. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence and photoisomerization quantum yields in solution supports this model. In both media MC540 has a very low triplet quantum yield with values 0.002 > (> ø_T > 0.02 in ethanol and 0.01 > ø_T- > 0.09 in liposomes Our data are consistent with the model whereby the dye is incorporated into the lipid bilayer as a monomer with two different orientations and this model is adopted on the basis of the biexponential behaviour of the fluorescence and photoisomer decay.     

Rink Amide树脂结构对多肽合成的影响研究

研究了Rink Amide树脂取代度、溶胀度及肽链的长度不同对肽合成收率的影响,并对影响Rink Amide树脂溶胀度的因素进行了研究,结果表明,合成长肽时低取代度、高溶胀度的Rink Amide树脂能获得较好的肽收率。     

STUDIES ON LYSOZYME: EFFECT OF VISIBLE LIGHT ON THE CONFORMATION OF THE ENZYME IN THE PRESENCE OF METHYLENE BLUE

Abstract— Lysozyme undergoes conformational changes when exposed to visible light in the presence of methylene blue. Ultracentrifugation, gel filtration and end group analysis showed that no peptide bond was cleaved. About 30 per cent of the tryptophan residues were, however, modified. The enzymic activity decreased by 50 per cent. The sedimentation coefficient and helical content decreased; the extinction in the u.v. region between 185 to 210 nm increased. The photooxidized enzyme was more susceptible to trypsinolysis than the native enzyme.     

多元络合物在生物成分分析中的应用进展

评述了多元络合物在生物成分分析中的应用近况，内容包括用吸光光度、荧光光度、化学发光、瑞利光散射和电化学分析方法，对黄酮类化合物、茶多酚、维生素C、氨基酸、蛋白质、核酸和酶等生物成分的测定与研究，引用文献41篇。     

高温热处理对偏氟乙烯-四氟乙烯共聚物高次结构的影响

聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)及其一些共聚物,例如偏氟乙烯-四氟乙烯共聚物(PVDF/TFE)经过处理后呈现较强的压电性。许多研究表明它们是铁电聚合物,而且压电活性与样品的高次结构有关。松弛谱是研究结晶高聚物的高次结构的有力工具,近来,Koizumi等人报道了PVDF/TFE的热处理与松弛现象的关系。本文作者也报道了     

热处理对尼龙1010结构影响研究

采用ＷＡＸＤ，ＳＡＸＳ方法研究了热处理对尼龙１０１０聚集态结构的影响．结果表明，在温度为１７５℃左右对样品进行退火处理可获得较完善的结晶．利用Ｗｃ．ｘ~Ｔ关系曲线外推法得到尼龙１０１０样品的Ｔｇ大约为５８℃．根据一维电子密度相关函数法求得了系列样品在所研究条件下的结晶片层厚，过渡层厚，长周期和结晶非晶相间的密度差．得到了不同退火条件尼龙１０１０样品的结晶相密度ρｃ．     

高温热处理对偏氟乙烯-四氟乙烯共聚物高次结构的影响

The effect of high temperature annealing on the higher order structure of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE 2.8 mol %) has been studied by various method, primarily dynamic mechanical, by also dielectric and microspic. The controversy on the origin of a relaxations is discussed from the point of view of higher order structure studies.     

冠醚的空腔及其与希土硝酸盐配合物结构的关系

本文计算了五十多种希土硝酸盐冠醚配合物中冠醚的空腔直径Ｄｃ及希土离子直径（Ｄｉ）与Ｄｃ之比值（Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ）．冠醚的空腔受许多因素影响．诸如希土元素的离子半径，希土离子与冠醚之间的结合力，冠醚环上的取代基等．Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ数值所处的范围与所形成的配合物结构类型密切相关，遵循下列四个近似规则：（１）如Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ＞１．４，所形成的配合物结构中三个阴离子占据冠醚的同一侧（结构类型Ⅰ）；（２）若０．８＜Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ＜０．９，配合物中金属离子被包围在冠醚空腔中．三个阴离子占据冠醚环的两侧（结构类型Ⅱ）；（３）如Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ＜０．８，配合物中冠醚分了一般与配位水分子以氢键相连（结构类型Ⅲ）；（４）若０．９＜Ｄｉ／Ｄｃ＜１．４，配合物一般为结构类型Ⅲ，在某些情况下也可为结构类型Ⅳ，它由几个配位阴离子及一个多硝酸根配阴离子形成．     

硬脂酸盐对石蜡油的增稠作用与其结构的关系

将硬脂酸盐溶于石蜡油中,用塞波特粘度计测定硬脂酸盐-石蜡体系的相对粘度曲线,从金属离子半径、电负性、羧酸根配位方式等方面讨论了结构上的差异对溶解性和增稠效果的影响。