蛋白质二级结构的真空紫外圆二色性研究

利用同步辐射真空紫外圆二色谱仪和特制的样品池,测定溶液中蛋白质的真空紫外圆二色谱,测定波长低至175nm,并应用一种新的计算法分析计算了蛋白质5种二级结构的含量,所得结果与用X射线衍射法测定的结果一致.讨论了获得好的真空紫外圆二色谱的几个重要因素.结果表明,真空紫外圆二色法是目前测定溶液中蛋白质二级结构的较好方法之一.     

圆二色光谱在蛋白质结构研究中的应用

近几年来,圆二色光谱在蛋白质结构研究中的应用越来越广泛。通过对远紫外圆二色光谱的测量,可以推导出稀溶液中蛋白质的二级结构,进而分析和辨别蛋白质的三级结构类型;通过对近紫外圆二色光谱的测量和分析,可以推断蛋白质分子中芳香氨基酸残基和二硫键的微环境变化,研究介质与蛋白质结构间的关系;通过测定实验参数和环境条件变化时的圆二色光谱,可以研究蛋白质构像变化过程中的热力学和动力学特性。     

自由电子激光在生物学中的应用

同步辐射的发展和应用已经极大的推动了自然科学包括生物学的巨大发展,其中结构生物学更是离不开X射线衍射分析,小角散射等。X射线自由电子激光(XFEL)相比同步辐射具有更高强度,完全相干等特点,被称为第四代光源。科学家已经利用XFEL实现了尺度约为1微米的蛋白质晶体的高分辨率结构解析,并且也实现了单颗粒的病毒的低分辨重构。未来,XFEL将会为生物学的发展打开一扇新的大门。     

磷酸丙糖异构酶的折叠及稳定性研究

从鸡胸肌中纯化出磷酸丙糖异构酶(triosephosphateisomerase,TIM),通过蛋白质内源荧光,圆二色性,紫外吸收二阶导数光谱等多种研究溶液构象的方法,对TIM被盐酸胍和热变性过程进行了详细的研究.结果表明,用不同测量方法得到TIM的变性过程均高度协同,没有观察到折叠中间态,应用单分子二态去折叠模型计算了TIM去折叠的热力学参数.通过圆二色光谱在222nm处的变化监测的TIM热变性过程也是高度协同的二态过程,天然态TIM的表观Tm为64.6℃.在低浓度盐酸胍存在下,TIM的热稳定性降低.讨论了二体蛋白质的可能去折叠机制,证明在使用的实验条件下磷酸丙糖异构酶去折叠过程中二级结构与三级结构的变化是同时发生的,其去折叠遵循观察不到二体解离的表观二态过程.     

大白菜病毒的圆二色性

曾从大白菜中纯化了烟草花叶病毒新株——大白菜病毒(CCV)。本文研究了它的圆二色性。它的近紫外圆二色(CD)谱在273nm显示一个大正峰,在273～300nm间有3个肩膀。近紫外CD谱形和TMV-HR株的相似。远紫外CD谱在221nm呈负峰,在208～209nm处有一个较弱的肩膀,197nm处有一强正峰。在pH5～10.8的范围里,CCV呈相同的CD谱。溶液中不同的盐浓度对CCV的CD谱没有明显影响。游离的CCV外壳蛋白质的CD谱呈双负峰,游离核酸的CD谱与一般RNA的CD谱相似。这些结果说明,CCV远紫外CD谱几乎完全由蛋白质组分贡献,近紫外CD谱可能说明病毒颗粒内RNA和蛋白质间有很强的相互作用。     

大白菜病毒的圆二色性

曾从大白菜中纯化了烟草花叶病毒新株——大白菜病毒(CCV)。本文研究了它的圆二色性。它的近紫外圆二色(CD)谱在273nm显示一个大正峰,在273～300nm间有3个肩膀。近紫外CD谱形和TMV-HR株的相似。远紫外CD谱在221nm呈负峰,在208～209nm处有一个较弱的肩膀,197nm处有一强正峰。在pH5～10.8的范围里,CCV呈相同的CD谱。溶液中不同的盐浓度对CCV的CD谱没有明显影响。游离的CCV外壳蛋白质的CD谱呈双负峰,游离核酸的CD谱与一般RNA的CD谱相似。这些结果说明,CCV远紫外CD谱几乎完全由蛋白质组分贡献,近紫外CD谱可能说明病毒颗粒内RNA和蛋白质间有很强的相互作用。     

FT-IR光谱在电离辐射作用于微生物研究中的应用

傅里叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FT-IR)是一种很有用的生物分析检测技术,通过FT-IR光谱技术可以得到有关蛋白质、脂类、核酸和多糖等微生物和细胞各类组成成分的信息。基于同步辐射光源的显微FT-IR光谱具有更高的空间分辨率和更快的测量速度,因而在生物学研究中具有进行快速、实时、动态和无损检测等优势。本文介绍了FT-IR光谱技术在微生物及电离辐射作用于微生物引起的生物学效应研究中的应用,并对该领域未来研究的发展趋势进行了展望。     

光谱法研究甲醇和盐酸对短梗霉黑色素的分离效果

应用紫外和红外光谱对甲醇和盐酸分离的短梗霉黑色素进行了分析。分析结果表明:甲醇和盐酸法分离的黑色素在紫外图谱215 nm处都有最大吸收峰,而甲醇法分离的黑色素其紫外图谱在260、280 nm处无吸收峰表明此法分离的黑色素不含核酸及蛋白质;红外图谱中,在3340 cm-1、1637 cm-1处有很强的吸收峰表现为黑色素的典型特征;同时在对照中发现盐酸多次处理后的黑色素显示较少的结构信息,说明盐酸沉降法有可能破坏黑色素的结构。由此选用甲醇作为沉淀剂有利于黑色素的纯化及确保其结构信息的完整,为进一步分析短梗霉黑色素的结构表征奠定了基础。     

条斑紫菜中一种琼胶多糖的分离纯化及鉴定

条斑紫菜(Porphyra yezoensis)的热水提取物,经DE-23和Sephadex G-200柱层析纯化,得到一种含微量硫酸基的琼胶精品(PY1)。此多糖经Sepharose 6B柱层析鉴定为单一组分,分子量为220 kD。紫外光谱显示它不含蛋白质、多肽及核酸。红外光谱揭示它含3,6_内醚_半乳糖的特征吸收以及微量的硫酸基。该多糖的水解产物经气相色谱分析,主要由半乳糖及其衍生物组成,有少量岩藻糖存在。通过高磺酸氧化和Smith除解以及１３C-NMR谱的分析,该多糖主要由琼胶二糖结构单元和它的生物前体组成,以琼胶二糖为主。     

半夏蛋白变性过程的圆二色性研究

测定了半夏蛋白的紫外圆二色谱,远紫外谱显示不常见的单一的226nm负峰,[θ]_(226)=-4.42×10~3度·厘米~2/分克分子;近紫外谱给出295nm 及286nm 的正峰,248nm 的负峰,265～280nm 的宽峰。这些CD 峰的峰值因加入胍而降低,降低过程相互间大体平行,[θ]对胍浓度曲线的转折点都在2.75M 胍左右,与一般蛋白质相同。还测定了6M 胍中变性的半夏蛋白的重天然化过程,发现分两个过程,一快一慢。慢过程的一级反应速度常数是0.144分~(-1),快过程的是3.57分~(-1)。     

Circular dichroism studies on single Chinese hamster cells

The circular dichroism (CD) and circular intensity differential scattering (CIDS) contributions to the CD of single Chinese hamster (CHO) cells have been measured as a function of the position in the cell cycle. The data are analyzed in three main spectral regions: (1) the region above 290 nm (scattering region), (2) the 250-290-nm regions (nucleic acid absorption region), and (3) the region below 240 nm (protein absorption region). The results show that CD/CIDS microspectrophotometry is a good indicator of the cell cycle phase. The results are consistent with the view that chromatin is organized in chiral superstructures which differentially scatter circularly polarized light. These structures appear highly specific and repeatable as the cell passes through its cycle.     

Circular dichroism of the nucleic acid monomers.

Circular dichroism spectra of the nucleic acid monomers have been measured in aqueous solution and extended into the vacuum ultraviolet region to about 166 nm. Measurements were made on ribo and deoxyribo derivatives of adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil derivatives both with and without the 5′-phosphate (with the exception of ribosyl thymine 5′-phosphate). Absorption spectra of the deoxyribonucleotides measured to about 175 nm are also presented. The results demonstrate that both the circular dichroism and absorption spectra observed below 200 nm are no more complicated than the spectra normally recorded above 200 nm. In most cases, the circular dichroism spectra of the various derivatives of a given base are similar, indicating that the conformations are similar. On the other hand, the differences among the circular dichroism spectra of the various derivatives of a given base are sufficient to identify a particular derivative. The average circular dichroism for the deoxyribonucleotides is compared with the circular dichroism of native E. coli DNA. The comparison reveals that the circular dichroism of DNA below 200 nm is due principally to the interaction between the bases rather than the intrinsic circular dichroism of the monomers. The monomer transitions are discussed in relationship to the absorption and circular dichroism spectra presented.     

Evidence for Z-form RNA by vacuum UV circular dichroism.

Circular dichroism (CD) spectra in the vacuum UV region for different conformations of poly d(G-C) X poly d(G-C) and poly r(G-C) X poly r(G-C) are very characteristic. The CD of the RNA in the A-form (6 M NaClO4 and 22 degrees C) is very similar to that of the DNA in 80% alcohol where it is believed to be in the A-form. With the exception of the longest wavelength transition, the CD of the RNA in 6 M NaClO4 at 46 degrees C is similar to the CD of the DNA under conditions where it is believed to be in the Z-form (2 M NaClO4). This substantiates that poly r(G-C) X poly r(G-C) assumes a left-handed Z-conformation in 6 M NaClO4 above 35 degrees C. CD spectra for the left-handed Z-forms of both the RNA and DNA are characterized by an intense negative peak at 190-195 nm, a crossover at about 184 nm, and an intense positive peak below 180 nm. The right-handed A- and B-forms of RNA and DNA all have an intense positive peak in their CD spectra near 186 nm. The large difference in CD in the range 185-195 nm for right- and left-handed conformations of nucleic acids can be used to identify the sense of helix winding.     

Temperature dependence of the optical activity of human serum low density lipoprotein. The role of lipids.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) (1.024-1.045 G/cm3) was prepared by ultracentrifugal flotation from serum of normal fasting subjects. Circular dichroism (CD) and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra in the ultraviolet region were measured at 2, 25, and 37 degrees on LDL, lipid extracted from LDL, and on pure component lipids. All exhibit reversible, temperature-dependent optical activities. Sphingomyelin has a strong negative CD band around 195 nm. Cholesterol and cholesteryl esters have a CD minimum at 208 nm. They have positive CD bands around 201 and 198 nm which decrease sharply and become negative at 198 and 193 nm, respectively. The CD of the total lipid extract of LDL is negative and drops monotonically below 200 nm. Thus, the lipid moiety could account for the increasing negativity of the CD of LDL below 195 nm. After subtraction of the ellipticity corresponding to amounts of lipids in organic solvents equivalent to those found in LDL, the 208-210 nm trough of LDL diminishes markedly. This is accompanied by a blue-shift of the extrema from 195-196 to 193 nm and an increase in the magnitude of the positive ellipticity. The fractions of helix and of beta form in the protein, determined by the method of Y. H. Chen, J. T. Yang, and K. H. Chau ((1974), Biochemistry 13, 3350), in the wavelength interval of 250-240 nm, remain essentially unchanged between 2 and 37 degrees. These observations suggest that a substantial part of the thermal change in the CD spectrum of LDL between 208 and 210 nm may be attributable to lipids.     

The optical activity of D-erythro-sphingomyelin and its contribution to the circular dichroism of sphingomyelin-containing systems.

Circular dichroism studies on bovine brain sphingomyelin show the presence of a strong negative cotton effect below 200 nm, the position and magnitude of which depend on the physical state of the lipid. This cotton effect is thought to arise from the pi-pi transition of the amide group in the sphingomyelin backbone. The sphingomyelin contribution to the observed ellipticity of membranes and lipoprotein complexes depends on the mol fraction of amide groups present as sphingomyelin: this contribution is calculated to be less than 2% in the case of serum high density lipoprotein and the order of 20% below 200 nm in the case of the erythrocyte ghost membrane. Due to the similarity of the CD spectrum of sphingomyelin to that of a random coil polypeptide, use of uncorrected ellipticity data is expected to lead to an overestimate of the random coil content of proteins in systems containing a high sphingomyelin content.     

The optical activity of d-erythro-sphingomyelin and its contribution to the circular dichroism of sphingomyelin-containing systems

Circular dichroism studies on bovine brain sphingomyelin show the presence of a strong negative cotton effect below 200 nm, the position and magnitude of which depend on the physical state of the lipid. This cotton effect is thought to arise from the π-π¹ transition of the amide group in the sphingomyelin backbone. The sphingomyelin contribution to the observed ellipticity of membranes and lipoprotein complexes depends on the mol fraction of amide groups present as sphingomyelin: this contribution is calculated to be less than 2% in the case of serum high density lipoprotein and the order of 20% below 200 nm in the case of the erythrocyte ghost membrane. Due to the similarity of the CD spectrum of sphingomyelin to that of a random coil polypeptide, use of uncorrected ellipticity data is expected to lead to an overestimate of the random coil content of proteins in systems containing a high sphingomyelin content.     

Circular dichroism of human pituitary luteinizing hormone and its glycopeptides. Curve resolution and band assignments to the peptide chromophore, aromatic residues, disulfides, and N-acetylated amino sugars.

The circular dichroic (CS) spectrum of the glycoprotein hormone, human pituitary luteinizing hormone (hLH), has been determined between 195-320 nm and resolved into gaussian constituents. Below 230 nm the CD spectrum is characterized by a negative extremum at 207 nm with a shoulder at 217 nm. Resolution into gaussian constituents of the 200-230 nm CD spectrum resulted in two resolved negative bands, one at 206 nm and the other at 215 nm. The latter band is assigned to beta-structure which is estimated to be about 25%. The 206 nm resolved band is assigned to the N-acetylated carbohydrate groups (e.g. N-acetyl glucosamine, galactosamine, and neuraminic acid). This is based partly on the evidence that the CD spectrum of the hLH glycopeptide fraction (prepared by a pronase digestion of s-carboxymethylated hLH) exhibited a negative extremum at 207.5 nm, which is close to the resolved 206 nm band in hLH. Above 230 nm the CD spectrum is characterized by a negative extremum at about 275 nm. Most of the ellipticity in this region is attributed to the disulfides in hLH. Both strong acid (0.1 N hcl) and concentrated guanidine hydrochloride (4 M) affect the ellipticity in the vicinity of 275 nm, but only the latter (as well as concentrated urea) has a major effect on the CD spectrum below 230 nm indicating extensive conformational changes. There is, however, some loss of beta-structure in 0.1 N hcl. Thus, it appears that the conformation of the hLH subunits in these subunit-dissociating agents is rather different. There was no dramatic change in the magnitude of the 207 nm extremum of native hLH between 10-50C.     

Absorption flattening in the circular dichroism spectra of small membrane fragments

The inhomogeneous distribution of chromophore occurring in a particulate suspension can result in a reduction in the apparent molar ellipticity recorded in circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The possibility of such a systematic error has often been a matter of concern when CD spectra of cell membrane proteins are recorded. The recent publication of CD spectra for bacteriorhodopsin in native and sonicated membranes, in detergent-solubilized form, and reconstituted into small unilamellar vesicles [Mao, D., & Wallace, B. A. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 2667-2673] gives a unique opportunity to apply the theoretical analysis of Gordon and Holzwarth [Gordon, D. J., & Holzwarth, G. (1971) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 142, 481-488] so as to provide a definitive answer to the question of whether absorption flattening is significant for membrane particles. We show here that the data of Mao and Wallace can be combined with the theoretical analysis of Gordon and Holzwarth to rule out significant absorption flattening effects over the range 200-240 nm for submicrometer-sized membranes. In addition, the results show that absorption flattening can be disregarded even at 190 nm for membranous material in the size range below 100 nm. The demonstration that there are no major flattening effects in the CD spectra of bacteriorhodopsin, particularly in the region of 200-240 nm, means that the experimental spectra are incompatible with the proposal that this transmembrane protein contains seven transmembrane helices.     

Excitonic interactions in the reaction centre of photosystem II studied by using circular dichroism

Changes in excitonic interactions of photosystem II (PSII) reaction centre (RC) pigments upon light-induced oxidation of primary donor (P680) or reduction of primary acceptor (pheophytin (Pheo)) were analysed using circular dichroism (CD). The CD spectrum of PSII RC shows positive bands at 417, 435 and 681 and negative bands at 447 and 664 nm. Oxidation of the primary donor by illuminating the sample in the presence of silicomolybdate resulted in nearly symmetric decrease of CD amplitudes at 664 and 684 nm. In the Soret region, the maximum bleaching of CD signal was detected at 449 and 440 nm. Accumulation of reduced Pheo in the presence of dithionite brought about much lower changes in CD amplitudes than P680 oxidation. In this case, only a small asymmetric bleaching at 680 and 668 nm in the red region and a bleaching at 445, 435 and 416 nm in the Soret region has been detected. Therefore, we suppose that the contribution of the Pheo of the primary acceptor to the total CD signal of RC is negligible. In contrast to the oxidation of primary donor, the light-induced change in the CD spectrum upon primary acceptor reduction was strongly temperature-dependent. The reversible CD bleaching was completely inhibited below 200 K, although the reduced Pheo was accumulated even at a temperature of 77 K. Since the temperature does not influence the excitonic interaction, the temperature dependence of the CD changes upon Pheo reduction does not support the model of Pheo excitonically interacting with the other chlorophylls (Chl) of the RC. We propose that Pheo should not be considered as a part of a multimer model.     

Equilibrium and transient intermediates in folding of human macrophage migration inhibitory factor.

Acid, guanidinium-Cl and urea denaturations of recombinant human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were measured using CD and fluorimetry. The acid-induced denaturation was followed by CD at 200, 222, and 278 nm and by tryptophan fluorescence. All four probes revealed an acid-denatured state below pH 3 which resembled a typical molten globule. The pH transition is not two-state as the CD data at 222 nm deviated from all other probes. Urea and guanidinium-Cl denaturations (pH 7, 25 degrees C) both gave an apparent DeltaGU app H2O of 31 +/- 3 kJ.mol-1 when extrapolated to zero denaturant concentration. However, denaturation transitions recorded by fluorescence (at the same protein concentration) occurred at lower urea or guanidinium-Cl concentrations, consistent with an intermediate in the course of MIF denaturation. CD at 222 nm was not very sensitive to protein concentration (in 10-fold range) even though size-exclusion chromatogryphy (SEC) revealed a dimer-monomer dissociation prior to MIF unfolding. Refolding experiments were performed starting from acid, guanidinium-Cl and urea-denatured states. The kinetics were multiphasic with at least two folding intermediates. The intrinsic rate constant of the main folding phase was 5.0 +/- 0.5 s-1 (36.6 degrees C, pH 7) and its energy of activation 155 +/- 12 kJ.mol-1.