LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF DNA-COMPLEXED ETHIDIUM BROMIDE

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis studies of DNA-complexed ethidium bromide were undertaken. We have observed a singlet-singlet (S₁-S_n) absorption process for DNA-complexed ethidium bromide. The observed lowest singlet excited state lifetime was 21 ± 2 ns. The molar difference extinction coefficient was measured to be 2.4 ± 0.4 × 10³M^-1 cm^-1 at 370 nm. The assignment of this transition was confirmed by time resolved fluorescence measurements.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF PROTEINS AND INDOLE DERIVATIVES IN SOLUTION

Abstract— Transients obtained upon flash photolysis of a number of proteins in aqueous solution appear to derive from electron ejection from tryptophyl residue side chains. These decay by a second order process. Oxygen is an effective quencher for the protein transients but is less so for the flash-induced signals obtained from simple indole derivatives. Experiments using other quenchers indicate that the signals are not due to an indole triplet state, but that the triplet state may be a precursor of the flash-induced metastabie species. Compounds which bind to the active site of chymotrypsin were found to exert only non-specific effects on the flash-induced signals.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF RIBONUCLEASE A

Abstract— Flash photolysis spectra show that ultraviolet irradiation of RNase (Λ > 250 nm) at pH 11.5 generates the hydrated electron and a long-lived transient with absorption maxima at 390 nm and 410 nm, attributed to the phenoxyl type radical from tyrosyl residues. Comparison of the initial yields with flash photolysis spectra obtained from aqueous tyrosine and mixtures of the chromophoric amino acids indicates that 3–4 tyrosyl residues are photoionized in the primary act. This process is almost completely quenched at pH 1–9, even though the p -alanylphenoxyl radical is obtained with tyrosine over this pH range and the accompanying electron is observed at pH 7. The negative result is not altered by denaturation of RNase with 8 M urea or heating to 70°C, suggesting that a primary chain interaction is responsible for the suppression of tyrosyl residue photolysis. This mechanism is supported by flash photolysis spectra of small peptides, showing that the initial radical yield from tyrosylglycylglycine is strongly quenched compared to tyrosine when the phenolic group is protonated. Comparion of this work with published results on fluorescence and inactivation quantum yields indicates that photochemical electron ejection from RNase in alkaline solutions takes place in the dissociable residues and does not contribute to loss of enzymic activity.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF HEMATO-AND COPRO-PORPHYRINS IN HOMOGENEOUS AND MICROHETEROGENEOUS AQUEOUS DISPERSIONS

This paper describes an experimental study of the photo properties of the triplet (T,) states of hematoporphyrin (HP) and coproporphyrin (CP), particularly in relation to their medium dependence and reactivity towards oxygen. Triplet-triplet absorption spectra of HP and CP have been determined in aqueous buffer at pH = 7.4 and in water-methanol and water-formamide mixtures. The spectra corrected for ground state contributions show major absorption peaks near 400 nm and lesser peaks near 500 nm. Extinction coefficient measurements have been made and their dependences on solvent composition investigated. Natural lifetimes of the T₁ states of HP and CP and the bimolecular quenching constants with oxygen have been determined. The quantum yields of T₁ formation are ca. 0.6 in buffer rising to 0.8 and higher in predominantly organic media. Incorporation of the porphyrins into micellar phases similarly causes φ_T, to increase. Quantum efficiencies of O^?₂ and O₂(^lΔ_g) formation have been determined for HP in buffer, some binary mixtures and micellar dispersions. Superoxide yields are low and may result from photo-ionization processes. O₂(^lΔ_g) yields are large but appear to have an unexpected dependence on the medium.     

FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF ROD PARTICLE SUSPENSIONS

Abstract. Flash photolytic experiments with suspensions of rod particles isolated from cattle eyes reveal that at low temperatures a transient is formed following irradiation which preceeds lumirhodopsin in the bleaching process. Kinetic studies, in the range -75°C to -50°C, suggest that the transient is composed of three intermediate species, having similar absorption spectra but changing to lumirhodopsin at different rates. The energies of activation of the decay reactions appear to be identical and equal 12.5°3 kcal/mole. Spectrophotometric experiments have demonstrated that the low temperature transient is stable at liquid nitrogen temperatures and suggest that it can be reversibly converted to a mixture of rhodopsin and isorhodopsin at -195°C.
A detailed comparison of light initiated reactions of rhodopsin in rod particle suspensions and in solutions reveals striking similarity in the two systems.     

PHOTOLYSIS OF POLYRIBOBROMOURIDYLIC ACID

Abstract— Photolysis of polyribobromouridylic acid with 313 nm light at neutral pH caused extensive debromination and a loss of A₂₈₀ (280–nm absorbance) without comparable increase in A₂₆₀. At an exposure of 190μE/cm ² , strand breakage occurred on the average of one break every 170 BrU residues. Little if any pyrimidine hydrate was produced. Exhaustive RNase hydrolysis of photolysed polymer gave a mixture of mononucleotides and oligonucleotides. The mononucleotide fraction was found to be composed of unaltered BrUMP and contained little if any UMP. Irradiation of the polymer at alkaline pH caused little or no debromination or spectral change.     

THE FLAVIN SENSITISED PHOTOOXIDATION OF ASCORBIC ACID: A CONTINUOUS AND FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY

Abstract —The mechanism of the photooxidation of ascorbic acid by flavin mononucleotide has been studied by steady state and flash photolysis techniques. The primary reaction consists of an electron abstraction from ascorbic acid by the flavin singlet and triplet states by a diffusional process and in the latter case also by the formation of a triplet flavin-ascorbic acid complex. Under anaerobic conditions, the secondary reactions consist primarily of a radical recombination and a 'dark'chemical back reaction, leading to the reformation of unchanged flavin and ascorbic acid. In the presence of oxygen, the 'back reactions'are prevented, resulting in the efficient photooxidation of ascorbic acid.     

A FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF 1-METHYLINDOLE

Abstract— The conventional flash photolysis of 1-methylindole in aqueous media was studied at Λ_excitation≥290 nm. The transients observed 20 μs after excitation consisted mainly of the radical cation (R⁺). the hydrated electron (e^-_aq) and the triplet state (T). Electron counting experiments indicate that photoionization is the only source of R⁺ with e^-_aq/R⁺= 1.07±0.09 in neutral media. Quenching of the R⁺ yield with H⁺ indicates that the fluorescent state is the precursor to 80% of the photoionization events with the remainder probably arising from a prefluorescent state. The triplet decays with a lifetime of 29 μs in deaerated neutral media. This decay is unchanged by N₂O saturation, but T reacts with acrylamide with k ≥2.8 × 10⁹ M ^-1. In 2 M Br^-, R⁺ and T yields are increased by factors of 2–3. Consideration of fluorescence quenching and T enhancement by Br-permits an estimate of φ_Isc between 0.33 and 0.49. The increased R⁺yield at high Br-concentrations cannot be accounted for by induced photoionization or triplet state reactions.     

A FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF 5-METHOXYINDOLE

Abstract— The microsecond flash photolysis of 5-methoxyindole in aqueous solutions has been studied at γ_exc≥ 290 nm. Transients identified in this time realm in neutral solutions are: e_aq^-, the 5-methoxyindole radical cation (γ_max≅ 440 nm), the neutral transient with γ_max≅ 530 nm) and an unidentified oxygen sensitive transient with γ_max≅ 435 nm. Radical cations and e^-_aq are shown to be produced in equal amounts consistent with a photoionization process as the only source of both transients. H⁺ quenching of fluorescence and radical cation production gives equivalent Stern-Volmer constants indicating that photoionization occurs from the fluorescent state. The unidentified oxygen sensitive transient exhibits a pK _a of2–2.5 and is quenched at lower pH values indicating that it also has a fluorescent state precursor.     

LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF RHODOPSIN AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Abstract. Nanosecond flash photolysis of rhodopsin with 530 or 353 nm light produces an initial transient absorption spectrum with peaks at ˜57O and ˜420nm, and a subsequent transient species with a maximum absorption at 480 nm. These results are interpreted as the initial formation of prelumi-rhodopsin (570 nm) followed by its conversion to lumirhodopsin (470 nm). The peak at 420 nm in the first transient may be due to either hypsorhodopsin or isorhodopsin.     

CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY: FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF THE CHLOROPHYLL-QUINONE REACTION IN ALCOHOL SOLVENTS*

Abstract— Flash photolysis of chlorophyll a alone in CBE (cyclohexanol-t-butanol-ethanol) yields a difference spectrum similar to those obtained upon steady illumination of chlorophyll a-quinone mixtures in this solvent. Decay kinetics in CBE and dimethylsulfoxide are faster at the Soret band than at 460–580 nm and red band regions. This difference is not obtained in other solvents (CHCI₃, CCI₄, t-butanol, ethanol), implying that two or more species are obtained in CBE and DMSO. β-Carotene in CBE increases the rate of decay of the flash-induced chlorophyll transients at 430 and 660 nm but only decreases the magnitude of the signal at 470 nm. This implies that the 470 nm absorbance is due to a product formed from the triplet state. This effect is not observed in ethanol. Adding quinone to chlorophyll solutions results in slowly decaying species being generated by flash excitation in CBE. Three components can be distinguished: the first (t_1/2? 0.2 msec) corresponds to the triplet state; the second (t_1/2= 5–10 msec) is quinone concentration and species independent; the third (t_1/2= several seconds) is dependent upon quinone concentration and species (rate is faster for higher concentrations and lower potential quinones). The ESR signal decay rate is approximately equal to the third component flash decay rate when the chlorophyll and quinone concentrations are equal. With excess quinone, the flash decay rate becomes faster, and the ESR decay rate decreases slightly. These slowly-decaying species are not produced when quinone is added to chlorophyll a in ethanol or t-butanol, or to pheophytin in CBE. One observes merely a decrease in signal height with no accompanying increase in decay rate. Mechanisms to account for all of these phenomena are presented which involve an initial chlorophyll triplet-solvent reaction with the subsequent formation of several species of chloro-phyll-quinone radical complexes.     

LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS AND PHOTOINACTIVATION OF SUBTILISIN BPN'

Abstract— Laser flash photolysis of subtilisin BPN'at 265 nm has shown that photoionization of tryptophanyl (Trp) and tyrosinyl (Tyr) residues are the principal initial photochemical reactions. The initial products are the corresponding oxidized radicals. Trp and Tyr, and hydrated electrons (e_aq) which react with the enzyme at: k (e_aq+ subt. BPN') = 2.1 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The photoionization quantum yield was 0.032 ± 0.005 at 265 nm, which was enhanced 3.5-fold by simultaneous excitation at 265 and 530 nm. The photoionization yields were unchanged by 3 M bromide ion and 8 M urea. which did affect the enzyme fluorescence excited at 265 and 295 nm. A similar lack of correlation between the effects of perturbants on the photionization yields and fluorescence yields was found for subtilisin Carlsherg. The results indicate that the monophotonic and biphotonic ionization of the Trp residues does not involve the thermally-equilibrated. lowest excited singlet state and that singlet energy transfer from Tyr to Trp does not contribute to Trp photoionization. The photoinactivation quantum yield was 0.014 for 265 nm laser excitation. which was not changed by simultaneous 530 nm excitation. The corresponding quantum yield was 0.009 for low intensity 254 nm radiation, indicative of a biphotonic contribution to photoinactivation. The results are explained by postulating that photolysis of Trp-113 leads to disruption of hydrogen bonding to Asn-117 and a shift in the primary chain sequence associated with the aromatic substrate binding sites. The photoionization quantum yields in subtilisin BPN'and subtilisin Carlsberg agree with a model based on the assumption that exposed Trp and Tyr residues contribute independently at intrinsic photoionization efficiencies characteristic of the chromophores.     

KINETICS OF PHOTODIMERIZATION OF OROTIC ACID IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM

Abstract— Ultraviolet irradiation of orotic acid in aqueous medium leads to the formation of dimers with a cyclobutane ring between the 5,6 bonds of two monomers. These photodimers in turn undergo photodissociation, with the result that an equilibrium is established between photodimerization and photodissociation. The equilibrium point is independent of dose rate, but is appreciably dependent on the irradiation wavelength, pH of the medium (i.e. whether the monomer is in the neutral or anionic form), and initial monomer and oxygen concentrations; the effect of oxygen apparently being to deactivate excited monomers. The kinetics of photodimerization and photodissociation have been examined at different wavelengths and with varying oxygen concentrations at different initial monomer concentrations. The results have been compared with a theoretical model in which it is assumed that a dimer is formed between an excited monomer and second molecule in the ground state, and that oxygen can also react with, and deactivate, an excited monomer. The agreement between the proposed model and the experimental data is reasonably good, and has made possible an estimate of the lifetime of the excited state of orotic acid in aqueous medium, which is about 10^-6 sec.     

AN ULTRAVIOLET PULSE GENERATOR IN THE SUBMICROSECOND RANGE FOR FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES

Los métodos experimentales que se emplean en la actualidad par identificar el electrón hidratado y otras especies transientes no pueden extenderse a escala de tiempos más cortos (10^-7–10^-8 seg), que se requiere para la observación de moléculas excitadas de corta vida, que son precursoras de estas especies transientes, sin sustancial desarrollo. Para alcanzar estos tiempos, los pulsos de excitation sean de electrones, rayos X o luz, así como la luz pulsada para el análisis espectro-fotométrico debe acortarse en varios órdenes de magnitud. Hemos diseñado un generador de luz ultravioleta y visible que emite pulsos menores que 10^-7 seg y potencia de miles de megavatios. El principio básico consiste en aumentar la tensión de chispa hasta próximo a 100 kV y decrecer la capacidad del circuito de descarga como √V, para mantener la energía de la descarga. Suponemos que estos no son los límites finales de intensidad y tiempo. Para obtener pulsos de luz netos, con tiempo de decrecimiento corto y sin cola se han mejorado considerablemente el circuito elétrico y el montaje del generador. Los primeros resultados en el estudio de transientes de corta vida muestran que esta fuente de luz mejorada permite extender el estudio de transientes en la región de 10^-7 seg.     

INTERMEDIATES IN THE ROOM TEMPERATURE FLASH PHOTOLYSIS AND LOW TEMPERATURE PHOTOLYSIS OF PURINE SOLUTIONS

The flash photolysis of purine in acetonitrile and in water at different pH was studied. The transients produced on flash excitation of degassed aqueous solutions have been identified as the triplet excited state, the hydrated electron, a purine radical cation and radical anion on the basis of quenching experiments and comparison to transients observed in low temperature photolysis.     

PRIMARY PRODUCTS IN THE FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF TRYPTOPHAN*

There has been considerable interest in the photochemistry of tryptophan in connection with ultraviolet inactivation of enzymes. Earlier flash photolysis work has demonstrated that the hydrated electron (e^-_aq) is an initial product in the irradiation of indole derivatives, accompanied by a longer-lived transient absorption near 500 nm attributed to an aromatic radical species[1–5]. Similar transients were observed in a recent flash photolysis study of lysozyme[6] in which it was proposed that inactivation is a consequence of electron ejection from 1 to 2 essential tryptophan residues in the active center. However, there has been uncertainty concerning the tryptophan radical structure and its relationship to the triplet state and radical spectra reported for tryptophan photolysis in low-temperature rigid media. This note reports a flash photolysis investigation of L-tryptophan (Trp) and 1-Methyl-L-tryptophan (1-MeTrp) undertaken to clarify these points. The flash photolysis apparatus and methods employed are described in Ref. [6].     

A FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF INTERMEDIATES IN PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS OF CHLOROPHYLL

Abstract— The photochemical reactions of chlorophyll intermediates in vitro have been studied by the flash photolysis method. The flash excitation of pigment solutions has been shown to involve the population of a chlorophyll triplet state where the oxidation-reduction processes occur. The mechanism and kinetics of pigment triplet decay have been investigated from 20°to — 50°C and the ability of chlorophyll molecules to carry out triplet-triplet energy transfer has been established. The latter phenomenon has been used to show up the role of chlorophyll triplets in the reversible photooxidation reaction with P -quinone. There have been studied initial products of pigment photoreduction with ascorbic acid and phenylhydrazine. Experimental data of the mechanism of the initial oxidation and reduction in chlorophyll photosensitized reactions have been analysed. There have been also obtained the differential spectra of chlorophyll triplets and radicals. A calculation has been made of rate constants for a few elementary reactions.     

LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF INDOLE IN THE PRESENCE OF AMINO ACIDS

The laser flash photolysis of indole at 265 nm in the presence of glycine, proline and hydroxy proline was studied. The relative yields of c _aq, triplet state, and indole cation radical were determined in the absence and in the presence of the amino acids. The yields were determined as a function of laser intensity and the values at very low intensity were compared with the fluorescence quenching results. It was concluded that in these conditions the photoionization of indole occurs via the fluorescent state. From the curves of triplet yield vs laser intensity, the triplet quantum yield extrapolated at low laser intensity was obtained, φr = 0.55 φ 0.05, relative to the literature value of 0.15 for φ_eag. This gives φ_F+φ_eaq= 1.0 ± 0.1 at room temperature. When proline and hydroxy proline were used as singlet quenchers, the yield of In was greater than the yield of c_aq. This was considered as evidence that a fraction of the quenching processes leads to complete electron transfer from indole to the amino acids.