The ESR determination of protein alpha-helicity.

Experimental data are summarized on decay kinetics of uv-induced paramagnetic centers in globular proteins. The PC decay rate in the absence of oxygen in α helical regions is shown to differ always by about two orders from that in nonhelical regions of the polypeptide chain. This effect can be utilized to estimate the degree of α helicity in the dry state, in solution, and in the frozen solution of proteins.