Complex formation between tryptophan-containing peptides and nucleic acids: Fluorescence decay studies using synchrotron radiation

Synchrotron radiation has been used to determine the fluorescence decay parameters of a tryptophan-containing oligopeptide, Lys-Trp-Lys, bound to nucleic acids. All fluorescence decay curves can be fitted by a sum of two exponentials. The two lifetimes very likely correspond to two conformational states of the oligopeptide. The mean fluorescence lifetime of the peptide is not markedly affected upon binding to nucleic acids even though the fluorescence quantum yield is strongly reduced. A model is presented that accounts for the existing fluorescence data: two consecutive complexes are formed both involving electrostatic interactions. In one of the complexes the tryptophyl ring is stacked with the nucleic acid bases and its fluorescence is completely quenched. The other complex emits a fluorescence having characteristics which are similar to those of the free peptide.