Correlation of tryptophan fluorescence intensity decay parameters with 1H NMR-determined rotamer conformations: [tryptophan2]oxytocin.

While the fluorescence decay kinetics of tyrosine model compounds [Laws, W. R., Ross, J. B. A., Wyssbrod, H. R., Beechem, J. M., Brand, L., & Sutherland, J. C. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 599-607] and the tyrosine residue in oxytocin [Ross, J. B. A., Laws, W. R., Buku, A., Sutherland, J. C., & Wyssbrod, H. R. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 607-612] can be explained in terms of heterogeneity derived from the three ground-state chi 1 rotamers, a similar correlation has yet to be directly observed for a tryptophan residue. In addition, the asymmetric indole ring might also lead to heterogeneity from chi 2 rotations. In this paper, the time-resolved and steady-state fluorescence properties of [tryptophan2]oxytocin at pH 3 are presented and compared with 1H NMR results. According to the unrestricted analyses of individual fluorescence decay curves taken as a function of emission wavelength and a global analysis of these decay curves for common emission wavelength-independent decay constants, only three exponential terms are required. In addition, the preexponential weighting factors (amplitudes) have the same relative relationship (weights) as the 1H NMR-determined chi 1 rotamer populations of the indole side chain. 15N was used in heteronuclear coupling experiments to confirm the rotamer assignments. Inclusion of a linked function restricting the decay amplitudes to the chi 1 rotamer populations in the individual decay curve analyses and in the global analysis confirms this correlation. According to qualitative nuclear Overhauser data, there are two chi 2 populations. Depending upon the degree of correlation between chi 2 and chi 1, there may be from three to six side-chain conformations for the tryptophan residue. The combined fluorescence and NMR results are consistent with a rotamer model in which either (i) the chi 2 rotations are fast compared to the fluorescence intensity decay of the tryptophan residue, (ii) environmental factors affecting fluorescence intensity decay properties are dominated by chi 1 interactions, or (iii) the chi 2 and chi 1 rotations are highly correlated.     

Tryptophan side chain conformers monitored by NMR and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies

We have inserted a tryptophan (F77W) in the core of the regulatory domain of cardiac troponin C (cNTnC), and previously determined the structure of this mutant with and without the cosolvent trifluoroethanol (TFE). Interestingly, the orientations of the indole side chain of the Trp are in opposite directions in the two structures (Julien et al., Protein Sci 2009; 18:1165-1174). Fluorescence decay experiments for single Trp-containing proteins often show several lifetimes, which have been interpreted as reflecting conformational heterogeneity of the Trp side chain resulting from different rotamers. To test this interpretation, we monitored the effect of TFE on wild type, F77W and F77W-V82A calcium-saturated cNTnC using 2D (13)C-HSQC NMR and time-correlated single photon counting fluorescence spectroscopies. The time dependence of the Trp fluorescence decay was fit with three lifetimes. Addition of TFE caused a gradual, but limited decrease of the lifetimes due to dynamic quenching. For F77W cNTnC, the amplitude fractions of the lifetimes also changed upon addition of TFE-the long lifetime increased from 13 to 29%, while the middle lifetime decreased from 63 to 50% and the short lifetime remained relatively unchanged. For F77W-V82A cNTnC, comparable NMR changes are observed, confirming the switch in rotamer conformation, but only much smaller changes in fluorescence decay parameters were detected. These data indicate that the balance between the rotamer states can be changed without changing the lifetime amplitude fractions appreciably, and suggest that the environment(s) of the indole ring, responsible for the different lifetimes, can result from factors other than the intrinsic rotamer state of the tryptophan.     

Tryptophan as a probe for acid-base equilibria in peptides

We present results of time resolved fluorescence measurements performed in Tryptophan (Trp) derivatives and Trp-containing peptides in the pH range 3.0-11.0. For each compound a set of decay profiles measured in a given range of pH values was examined as a whole, using the global analysis technique. The data were fitted to two or three lifetime components and the analysis allowed the monitoring of the changes in the concentration of the different species contributing to the total fluorescence in that pH interval. The decay components were sensitive to the ionization state of groups neighboring the indol ring, and pK values for the equilibrium between protonated and deprotonated species were obtained from the preexponential factor of the lifetime components. In Trp, protonation of the amino terminal of the rotamer having electron transfer rate comparable to fluorescence decay rates was responsible for the interconvertion of a long lifetime component, to the 2.9 ns component usually observed in neutral pH. Trpbond;X peptides also have a single rotamer dominating the decay that is quenched by NH(3) (+). X-Trp peptides seem to be conformationally less restricted, and it is possible that rotamers interconvertion occur in high pH, increasing the population of nonquenched rotamers. Interconvertion between rotameric conformations of Trp are also present in the titration of ionizable groups in the side chain of peptides like His-Trp and Glu-Trp and control of pH is essential to the correct interpretation of fluorescence data in the study of peptides having such groups near to the Trp residue.     

Constrained analysis of fluorescence anisotropy decay:application to experimental protein dynamics

Hydrodynamic properties as well as structural dynamics of proteins can be investigated by the well-established experimental method of fluorescence anisotropy decay. Successful use of this method depends on determination of the correct kinetic model, the extent of cross-correlation between parameters in the fitting function, and differences between the timescales of the depolarizing motions and the fluorophore's fluorescence lifetime. We have tested the utility of an independently measured steady-state anisotropy value as a constraint during data analysis to reduce parameter cross correlation and to increase the timescales over which anisotropy decay parameters can be recovered accurately for two calcium-binding proteins. Mutant rat F102W parvalbumin was used as a model system because its single tryptophan residue exhibits monoexponential fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decay kinetics. Cod parvalbumin, a protein with a single tryptophan residue that exhibits multiexponential fluorescence decay kinetics, was also examined as a more complex model. Anisotropy decays were measured for both proteins as a function of solution viscosity to vary hydrodynamic parameters. The use of the steady-state anisotropy as a constraint significantly improved the precision and accuracy of recovered parameters for both proteins, particularly for viscosities at which the protein's rotational correlation time was much longer than the fluorescence lifetime. Thus, basic hydrodynamic properties of larger biomolecules can now be determined with more precision and accuracy by fluorescence anisotropy decay.     

Fluorescence of tryptophan dipeptides: correlations with the rotamer model

The multiexponential decay of tryptophan derivatives has previously been explained by the presence of rotamers having different fluorescence lifetimes, but it has been difficult to correlate rotamer structure and physical properties. New time-resolved and static data on dipeptides of the type Trp-X and X-Trp, where X is another aminoacyl residue, are consistent with the rotamer model and allow some correlations. That a dominant rotamer of Trp-X zwitterion has the -NH3+ group near the indole ring was inferred from absorption and fluorescence spectra, titrimetric determination of pKa values, photochemical hydrogen-deuterium-exchange experiments, decay-associated spectra, quantum yields, and decay kinetics. Analysis of the lifetime and quantum yield data for Trp dipeptides, especially X-Trp, suggests that static self-quenching is not uncommon. Highly quenched and weak components of the fluorescence do not contribute to the calculated mean lifetime, thus resulting in apparent static quenching. We propose the term quasi-static self-quenching (QSSQ) to distinguish this phenomenon from quenching due to ground-state formation of a dark complex. Mechanisms of quenching and the structure of statically quenched rotamers are discussed. The occurrence of QSSQ supports the idea that rotamers interconvert slowly. A major perceived deficiency of the rotamer model, namely, the apparent inability to predict reasonable rotamer populations from fluorescence decay data, may result from the presence of statically quenched species, which do not contribute to the fluorescence.     

Conformational effects on tryptophan fluorescence in cyclic hexapeptides

The peptide bond quenches tryptophan fluorescence by excited-state electron transfer, which probably accounts for most of the variation in fluorescence intensity of peptides and proteins. A series of seven peptides was designed with a single tryptophan, identical amino acid composition, and peptide bond as the only known quenching group. The solution structure and side-chain chi(1) rotamer populations of the peptides were determined by one-dimensional and two-dimensional (1)H-NMR. All peptides have a single backbone conformation. The -, psi-angles and chi(1) rotamer populations of tryptophan vary with position in the sequence. The peptides have fluorescence emission maxima of 350-355 nm, quantum yields of 0.04-0.24, and triple exponential fluorescence decays with lifetimes of 4.4-6.6, 1.4-3.2, and 0.2-1.0 ns at 5 degrees C. Lifetimes were correlated with ground-state conformers in six peptides by assigning the major lifetime component to the major NMR-determined chi(1) rotamer. In five peptides the chi(1) = -60 degrees rotamer of tryptophan has lifetimes of 2.7-5.5 ns, depending on local backbone conformation. In one peptide the chi(1) = 180 degrees rotamer has a 0.5-ns lifetime. This series of small peptides vividly demonstrates the dominant role of peptide bond quenching in tryptophan fluorescence.     

Comparison of metal ion-induced conformational changes in parvalbumin and oncomodulin as probed by the intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan 102

The calcium-induced conformational changes of the 108-amino acid residue proteins, cod III parvalbumin and oncomodulin, were compared using tryptophan as a sensitive spectroscopic probe. As native oncomodulin is devoid of tryptophan, site-specific mutagenesis was performed to create a mutant protein in which tryptophan was placed in the identical position (residue 102) as the single tryptophan residue in cod III parvalbumin. The results showed that in the region probed by tryptophan-102, cod III parvalbumin experienced significantly greater changes in conformation upon decalcification compared to the oncomodulin mutant, F102W. Addition of 1 eq of Ca2+ produced greater than 90% of the total fluorescence response in F102W, while in cod III parvalbumin, only 74% of the total was observed. Cod III parvalbumin displayed a negligible response upon Mg2+ addition. In contrast, F102W did respond to Mg2+, but the response was considerably less when compared to Ca2+ addition. Time-resolved fluorescence showed that the tryptophan in both proteins existed in at least two conformational states in the presence of Ca2+ and at least three conformational states in its absence. Comparison with quantum yield measurements indicated that the local electronic environment of the tryptophan was significantly different in the two proteins. Collectively, these results demonstrate that both cod III parvalbumin and oncomodulin undergo Ca2(+)-specific conformational changes. However, oncomodulin is distinct from cod III parvalbumin in terms of the electronic environment of the hydrophobic core, the magnitude of the Ca2(+)-induced conformational changes, and the number of calcium ions required to modulate the major conformational changes.     

Fluorescence contributions of the individual Trp residues in goat alpha-lactalbumin

Goat alpha-lactalbumin (GLA) contains four tryptophan (Trp) residues. In order to obtain information on the fluorescence contribution of the individual Trp residues in native GLA, we recorded the fluorescence spectra of four GLA mutants, W26F, W60F, W104F, and W118F, in each of which a single Trp residue was replaced with phenylalanine (Phe). Comparison of the fluorescence spectra of the four mutants with that of wild-type GLA indicated that, in native GLA, three Trp residues (Trp60, Trp104, and Trp118) are strongly quenched and account for the partial indirect quenching of Trp26. As a consequence, the fluorescence of wild-type GLA and of the mutants W60F, W104F, and W118F mainly results from Trp26. An inspection of the crystal structure indicated that, in addition to the disulfide bonds that are in direct contact with the indole groups of Trp60 and Trp118, backbone peptide bonds that are in direct contact with the indole groups of Trp60, Trp104, and Trp118, contribute to the direct quenching effects. Interestingly, the lack of direct quenching of Trp26 explains why the cleavage of disulfide bonds by UV light is mediated more by the highly fluorescent Trp26 than by the less fluorescent Trp104 and Trp118.     

A model for multiexponential tryptophan fluorescence intensity decay in proteins.

Tryptophan fluorescence intensity decay in proteins is modeled by multiexponential functions characterized by lifetimes and preexponential factors. Commonly, multiple conformations of the protein are invoked to explain the recovery of two or more lifetimes from the experimental data. However, in many proteins the structure seems to preclude the possibility of multiple conformers sufficiently different from one another to justify such an inference. We present here another plausible multiexponential model based on the assumption that an energetically excited donor surrounded by N acceptor molecules decays by specific radiative and radiationless relaxation processes, and by transferring its energy to acceptors present in or close to the protein matrix. If interactions between the acceptors themselves and back energy transfer are neglected, we show that the intensity decay function contain 2N exponential components characterized by the unperturbed donor lifetime, by energy transfer rates and a probability of occurrence for the corresponding process. We applied this model to the fluorescence decay of holo- and apoazurin, ribonuclease T1, and the reduced single tryptophan mutant (W28F) of thioredoxin. Use of a multiexponential model for the analysis of the fluorescence intensity decay can therefore be justified, without invoking multiple protein conformations.     

Peptide sequence and conformation strongly influence tryptophan fluorescence

This article probes the denatured state ensemble of ribonuclease Sa (RNase Sa) using fluorescence. To interpret the results obtained with RNase Sa, it is essential that we gain a better understanding of the fluorescence properties of tryptophan (Trp) in peptides. We describe studies of N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide (NATA), a tripeptide: AWA, and six pentapeptides: AAWAA, WVSGT, GYWHE, HEWTV, EAWQE, and DYWTG. The latter five peptides have the same sequence as those surrounding the Trp residues studied in RNase Sa. The fluorescence emission spectra, the fluorescence lifetimes, and the fluorescence quenching by acrylamide and iodide were measured in concentrated solutions of urea and guanidine hydrochloride. Excited-state electron transfer from the indole ring of Trp to the carbonyl groups of peptide bonds is thought to be the most important mechanism for intramolecular quenching of Trp fluorescence. We find the maximum fluorescence intensities vary from 49,000 for NATA with two carbonyls, to 24,400 for AWA with four carbonyls, to 28,500 for AAWAA with six carbonyls. This suggests that the four carbonyls of AWA are better able to quench Trp fluorescence than the six carbonyls of AAWAA, and this must reflect a difference in the conformations of the peptides. For the pentapeptides, EAWQE has a fluorescence intensity that is more than 50% greater than DYWTG, showing that the amino acid sequence influences the fluorescence intensity either directly through side-chain quenching and/or indirectly through an influence on the conformational ensemble of the peptides. Our results show that peptides are generally better models for the Trp residues in proteins than NATA. Finally, our results emphasize that we have much to learn about Trp fluorescence even in simple compounds.     

Fluorescence quenching studies of Trp repressor using single-tryptophan mutants

Time-resolved and steady-state fluorescence have been used to resolve the heterogeneous emission of single-tryptophan-containing mutants of Trp repressors W19F and W99F into components. Using iodide as the quencher, the fluorescence-quenching-resolved spectra (FQRS) have been obtained The FQRS method shows that the fluorescence emission of Trp99 can be resolved into two component spectra characterized by maxima of fluorescence emission at 338 and 328 nm. The redder component is exposed to the solvent and participates in about 21% of the total fluorescence emission of TrpR W19F. The second component is inacessible to iodide, but is quenched by acrylamide. The tryptophan residue 19 present in TrpR W99F can be resolved into two component spectra using the FQRS method and iodide as a quencher. Both components of Trp19 exhibit similar maxima of emission at 322–324 nm and both are quenchable by iodide. The component more quenchable by iodide participates in about 38% of the total TrpR W99F emission. The fluorescence lifetime measurements as a function of iodide concentration support the existence of two classes of Trp99 and Trp19 in the Trp repressor. Our results suggest that the Trp aporepressor can exist in the ground state in two distinct conformational states which differ in the microenvironment of the Trp residues.Abbreviations TrpR tryptophan aporepressor fromE. coli - TrpR W19F TrpR mutant with phenylalanine substituted for tryptophan at position 19 - TrpR W99F TrpR mutant with phenylalanine substituted for tryptophan at position 99 - FQRS fluorescence-quenching-resolved spectra - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography     

Effect of Short- and Long-Range Interactions on Trp Rotamer Populations Determined by Site-Directed Tryptophan Fluorescence of Tear Lipocalin

In the lipocalin family, the conserved interaction between the main α-helix and the β-strand H is an ideal model to study protein side chain dynamics. Site-directed tryptophan fluorescence (SDTF) has successfully elucidated tryptophan rotamers at positions along the main alpha helical segment of tear lipocalin (TL). The rotamers assigned by fluorescent lifetimes of Trp residues corroborate the restriction expected based on secondary structure. Steric conflict constrains Trp residues to two (t, g ⁻) of three possible χ₁ (t, g ⁻, g ⁺) canonical rotamers. In this study, investigation focused on the interplay between rotamers for a single amino acid position, Trp 130 on the α-helix and amino acids Val 113 and Leu 115 on the H strand, i.e. long range interactions. Trp130 was substituted for Phe by point mutation (F130W). Mutations at positions 113 and 115 with combinations of Gly, Ala, Phe residues alter the rotamer distribution of Trp130. Mutations, which do not distort local structure, retain two rotamers (two lifetimes) populated in varying proportions. Replacement of either long range partner with a small amino acid, V113A or L115A, eliminates the dominance of the t rotamer. However, a mutation that distorts local structure around Trp130 adds a third fluorescence lifetime component. The results indicate that the energetics of long-range interactions with Trp 130 further tune rotamer populations. Diminished interactions, evident in W130G113A115, result in about a 22% increase of α-helix content. The data support a hierarchic model of protein folding. Initially the secondary structure is formed by short-range interactions. TL has non-native α-helix intermediates at this stage. Then, the long-range interactions produce the native fold, in which TL shows α-helix to β-sheet transitions. The SDTF method is a valuable tool to assess long-range interaction energies through rotamer distribution as well as the characterization of low-populated rotameric states of functionally important excited protein states.     

Atomic resolution structures and solution behavior of enzyme-substrate complexes of Enterobacter cloacae PB2 pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase. Multiple conformational states and implications for the mechanism of nitroaromatic explosive degradation

The structure of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) reductase in complex with the nitroaromatic substrate picric acid determined previously at 1.55 A resolution indicated additional electron density between the indole ring of residue Trp-102 and the nitro group at C-6 of picrate. The data suggested the presence of an unusual bond between substrate and the tryptophan side chain. Herein, we have extended the resolution of the PETN reductase-picric acid complex to 0.9 A. This high-resolution analysis indicates that the active site is partially occupied with picric acid and that the anomalous density seen in the original study is attributed to the population of multiple conformational states of Trp-102 and not a formal covalent bond between the indole ring of Trp-102 and picric acid. The significance of any interaction between Trp-102 and nitroaromatic substrates was probed further in solution and crystal complexes with wild-type and mutant (W102Y and W102F) enzymes. Unlike with wild-type enzyme, in the crystalline form picric acid was bound at full occupancy in the mutant enzymes, and there was no evidence for multiple conformations of active site residues. Solution studies indicate tighter binding of picric acid in the active sites of the W102Y and W102F enzymes. Mutation of Trp-102 does not impair significantly enzyme reduction by NADPH, but the kinetics of decay of the hydride-Meisenheimer complex are accelerated in the mutant enzymes. The data reveal that decay of the hydride-Meisenheimer complex is enzyme catalyzed and that the final distribution of reaction products for the mutant enzymes is substantially different from wild-type enzyme. Implications for the mechanism of high explosive degradation by PETN reductase are discussed.     

Spectral contribution of the individual tryptophan of alphaB-crystallin: a study by site-directed mutagenesis

There are two tryptophan residues in the lens alphaB-crystallin, Trp9 and Trp60. We prepared two Trp --> Phe substituted mutants, W9F and W60F, for use in a spectroscopic study. The two tryptophan residues contribute to Trp fluorescence and near-ultraviolet circular dichroism (UV CD) differently. The major difference in the near-UV CD is the contribution of 1La of Trp: it is positive in W60F but becomes negative in W9F. Further analysis of the near-UV CD shows an increased intensity in the region of 270-280 nm for W60F, suggesting that the Tyr48 is affected by the W60F mutation. It appears that Trp60 is located in a more rigid environment than Trp9, which agrees with a recent structural model in which Trp60 is in a beta-strand.     

5-Fluorotryptophan as dual probe for ground-state heterogeneity and excited-state dynamics in apoflavodoxin

The apoflavodoxin protein from Azotobacter vinelandii harboring three tryptophan (Trp) residues, was biosynthetically labeled with 5-fluorotryptophan (5-FTrp). 5-FTrp has the advantage that chemical differences in its microenvironment can be sensitively visualized via ¹⁹F NMR. Moreover, it shows simpler fluorescence decay kinetics. The occurrence of FRET was earlier observed via the fluorescence anisotropy decay of WT apoflavodoxin and the anisotropy decay parameters are in excellent agreement with distances between and relative orientations of all Trp residues. The anisotropy decay in 5-FTrp apoflavodoxin demonstrates that the distances and orientations are identical for this protein. This work demonstrates the added value of replacing Trp by 5-FTrp to study structural features of proteins via ¹⁹F NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Rotamer strain energy in protein helices - quantification of a major force opposing protein folding

It is widely believed that the dominant force opposing protein folding is the entropic cost of restricting internal rotations. The energetic changes from restricting side-chain torsional motion are more complex than simply a loss of conformational entropy, however. A second force opposing protein folding arises when a side-chain in the folded state is not in its lowest-energy rotamer, giving rotameric strain. chi strain energy results from a dihedral angle being shifted from the most stable conformation of a rotamer when a protein folds. We calculated the energy of a side-chain as a function of its dihedral angles in a poly(Ala) helix. Using these energy profiles, we quantify conformational entropy, rotameric strain energy and chi strain energy for all 17 amino acid residues with side-chains in alpha-helices. We can calculate these terms for any amino acid in a helix interior in a protein, as a function of its side-chain dihedral angles, and have implemented this algorithm on a web page. The mean change in rotameric strain energy on folding is 0.42 kcal mol-1 per residue and the mean chi strain energy is 0.64 kcal mol-1 per residue. Loss of conformational entropy opposes folding by a mean of 1.1 kcal mol-1 per residue, and the mean total force opposing restricting a side-chain into a helix is 2.2 kcal mol-1. Conformational entropy estimates alone therefore greatly underestimate the forces opposing protein folding. The introduction of strain when a protein folds should not be neglected when attempting to quantify the balance of forces affecting protein stability. Consideration of rotameric strain energy may help the use of rotamer libraries in protein design and rationalise the effects of mutations where side-chain conformations change.     

Excited states of tryptophan in cod parvalbumin. Identification of a short-lived emitting triplet state at room temperature.

The fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of model indole compounds and of cod parvalbumin III, a protein containing a single tryptophan and no tyrosine, were examined in the time scale ranging from subnanoseconds to milliseconds at 25 degrees C in aqueous buffer. For both Ca- bound and Ca-free parvalbumin and for model indole compounds that contained a proton donor, a phosphorescent species emitting at 450 nm with a lifetime of approximately 20-40 ns could be identified. A longer-lived phosphorescence is also apparent; it has approximately the same absorption and emission spectrum as the short-lived triplet molecule. For Ca parvalbumin, the decay of the long-lived triplet tryptophan is roughly exponential with a lifetime of 4.7 ms at 25 degrees C whereas for N-acetyltryptophanamide in aqueous buffer the decay lifetime was 30 microseconds. In contrast, the lifetime of the long-lived tryptophan species is much shorter in the Ca-free protein compared with Ca parvalbumin, and the decay shows complex nonexponential kinetics over the entire time range from 100 ns to 1 ms. It is concluded that the photochemistry of tryptophan must take into account the existence of two excited triplet species and that there are quenching moieties within the protein matrix that decrease the phosphorescence yield in a dynamic manner for the Ca-depleted parvalbumin. In contrast, for Ca parvalbumin, the tryptophan site is rigid on the time scale of milliseconds.     

Time-resolved fluorescence and anisotropy decay of the tryptophan in adrenocorticotropin-(1-24)

The direct time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of the single tryptophan residue in the polypeptide hormone adrenocorticotropin-(1-24) (ACTH) and the fluorescence decay kinetics of this residue (Trp-9) are reported. Two rotational correlation times are observed. One, occurring on the subnanosecond time scale, reflects the rotation of the indole ring, and the other, which extends into the nanosecond range, is dominated by the complex motions of the polypeptide chain. The fluorescence lifetimes of the single tryptophan in glucagon (Trp-25) and the 23-26 glucagon peptide were also measured. In all cases the fluorescence kinetics were satisfied by a double-exponential decay law. The fluorescence lifetimes of several tryptophan and indole derivatives and two tryptophan dipeptides were examined in order to interpret the kinetics. In close agreement with the findings of Szabo and Rayner [Szabo, A. G., & Rayner, D. M. (1980) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 102, 554-563], the tryptophan zwitterion exhibits emission wavelength dependent double-exponential decay kinetics. At 320 nm tau 1 = 3.2 ns and tau 2 = 0.8 ns, with alpha 1 = 0.7 and alpha 2 = 0.3. Above 380 nm only the 3.2-ns component is observed. By contrast the neutral derivative N-acetyltryptophanamide has a single exponential decay of 3.0 ns. The multiexponential decay kinetics of the polypeptides are discussed in terms of flexibility of the polypeptide chain and neighboring side-chain interactions.     

Analysis of internal motion of single tryptophan in Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor from its picosecond time-resolved fluorescence.

A mode of internal motion of single tryptophan, Trp 86, of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor, was analyzed from its time-resolved fluorescence. The intensity and anisotropy decays of Trp 86 were measured in the picosecond range. These decays were analyzed with theoretical expressions derived assuming that the indole ring of tryptophan as an asymmetric rotor rotates around covalent bonds connecting indole with the peptide chain and an effective quencher of fluorescence of Trp 86 is the nearby SS bond of Cys 35-Cys 50. First, the intensity decays at 6 degrees, 20 degrees, and 40 degrees C were analyzed, and then the both decays of the intensity and anisotropy at 20 degrees C were simultaneously simulated with common parameters. Constants concerning geometrical structures of the protein used for the analysis were obtained from x-ray crystallographic data. Best fit between the observed and calculated decay curves was obtained by a nonlinear least squares method by adjusting a quenching constant averaged over the rotational angles, koq height of the potential energy, p, and three of six diffusion coefficients, Dxx, Dyy, Dzz, Dxy, Dyz, and Dzx, as variable parameters. The obtained results revealed that the internal motion of the indole ring became faster, the quenching rate of the fluorescence of Trp 86 was enhanced and the height of potential energy became lower at higher temperatures, and suggested that Trp 86 was wobbling around the long axis of the indole ring in the protein.     

Time-resolved fluorescence and 1H NMR studies of tyrosyl residues in oxytocin and small peptides: correlation of NMR-determined conformations of tyrosyl residues and fluorescence decay kinetics

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence properties of the single tyrosyl residue in oxytocin and two oxytocin derivatives at pH 3 are presented. The decay kinetics of the tyrosyl residue are complex for each compound. By use of a linked-function analysis, the fluorescence kinetics can be explained by a ground-state rotamer model. The linked function assumes that the preexponential weighting factors (amplitudes) of the fluorescence decay constants have the same relative relationship as the 1H NMR determined phenol side-chain rotamer populations. According to this model, the static quenching of the oxytocin fluorescence can be attributed to an interaction between one specific rotamer population of the tyrosine ring and the internal disulfide bridge.