LA PHOTOOXYDATION DU GROUPE PEPTIDE—I. PROTÉINES FIBREUSES*

Abstract— The determination of the α-ketoacids, glyoxylic and pyruvic in partial hydrolysates of fibrous proteins (keratin and fibroin) after exposition to u.v. light has allowed us to suggest a photooxydation mechanism for the α-aminoacid residues of glycine and alanine in proteins. The primary reaction is believed to be the formation of the peptide radical -NH-CR-CO-, and the breakdown of polypeptide chains is explained by the formation of α-ketoacyl peptide linkages.