Fluorescence and Phosphorescence of Proteins and Nucleic Acids

Fluorescence and phosphorescence are proving to be extremely sensitive probes for elucidating conformation of proteins and nucleic acids and for studying molecular interactions. Newer instrumentation and techniques hold forth great promise for the future of these luminescence methods in biopolymer research. It must be noted, however, that the discovery that certain amino acids, purines, and pyrimidines emit fluorescence or phosphorescence is relatively recent, occurring within the last decade. Professor Konev is one of the pioneers in the application of these procedures to biopolymers and is highly qualified to write about this subject. This book, though written largely as a monograph of the author's own contributions, is also an excellent review of the subject. Of particular interest are the references to many important Russian papers in this field which have not been recognized in the Western literature. It is apparent from this book that fluorescence and phosphorescence methods are being used about as widely in Russia as elsewhere in the world and that we must not overlook these im portant contributions. Konev's studies on protein fluorescence have been widely recognized. It is of interest to learn about these and other of his applications. The last part of the book, which deals with fluorescence as a means to probe into the structure and conforma tion of macromolecules in intact cells, is most interesting. Aside from published symposia this book is the first written specifically about luminescence of biopolymers. Sidney Udenfriend Bethesda. Maryland May, 1967 v CONTENTS Introduction . • • . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . .

Inhalt
History of Research on Electronic Excited States of Proteins.- I Electronic Excited States of Monomers.- Tryptophan.- Fluorescence Spectra.- Quantum Yield of Fluorescence and Its Dependence on the Structure of the Tryptophan Molecule and External Conditions.- Polarization Spectra of Tryptophan Fluorescence.- Absorption Polarization Spectra of Fluorescence.- Emission Polarization Spectra of Fluorescence.- Phosphorescence of Tryptophan.- Nature and Spectra of Phosphorescence.- Alpha Phosphorescence of Tryptophan.- Absorption Polarization Spectra of Phosphorescence.- Emission Polarization Spectra of Phosphorescence..- Oscillator Model of Tryptophan Molecule.- Tyrosine.- Phenylalanine.- II Electronic Excited States of Proteins.- Class A Proteins (Tyrosine-Containing Proteins).- Class B Proteins (Tryptophan-Containing Proteins).- Fluorescence Spectra of Proteins.- Quantum Yield of Fluorescence and Macrostructure of Proteins.- Conformation and Luminescence of Proteins.- Lifetime of Excited State (T) of Protein Fluorescence.- Absorption Polarization Spectra of Fluorescence of Proteins.- Emission Polarization Spectra of Fluorescence of Proteins.- Phosphorescence of Proteins.- Decay Time of Phosphorescence of Proteins.- Absorption and Emission Polarization Spectra of Phosphorescence of Proteins.- III Migration and Conservation of Energy in the Protein Macromolecule.- IV Luminescence of Nucleic Acids and Energy Migration in Them.- V Luminescence of Biopolymers in the Cell.- Nature of Centers Responsible for Primary Ultraviolet Luminescence of Cells.- Luminescence and Functional State of the Cell.- Cell Luminescence and the Pathological Process.- VI Electronic Excited States of Biopolymers and Photobiology.- VII Electronic Excited States of Biopolymers and Dark Biology.- Bioluminescence in Visible and Ultraviolet Regions.- Possible Implication of Optical Energy Transitions in Chemical Reactions.- References.