Radiation Chemical Studies of Protein Reactions: Dependence of Restorative Amino Acids on Radiation Dose

Abstract

Changes of specific rotation of protein irradiated with Co-60 gamma-rays were restored by some amino acids, such as mono-sodium 1-glutamate. Loss of this recovery effect in some amino acids by irradiation was studied by polarimetry and infrared spectometry. Optical rotation of protein-amino acid solutions increased with an increasing radiation dose given to the amino acids. Changes in optical rotation with irradiation may be due to the loss of the recovery effect of amino acids for the irradiated protein molecule. Changes in infrared spectra increased with an increasing radiation dose given to the amino acids. Such changes in infrared spectra with irradiation may be due to destruction of some radicals in the amino acid molecule.