TY - JOUR

T1 - Two-dimensional correlation analysis of Raman optical activity data on the α-helix-to-β-sheet transition in poly(L-lysine)

AU - Ashton, Lorna

AU - Barron, Laurence D.

AU - Czarnik-matusewicz, Boguslawa

AU - Hecht, Lutz

AU - Hyde, Jason

AU - Blanch, Ewan W.

PY - 2006/5/10

Y1 - 2006/5/10

N2 - Raman optical activity (ROA) has evolved into an incisive probe of structure and conformational transitions in polypeptides and proteins revealing many signal patterns characteristic of specific secondary structural elements. In order to further facilitate analysis of ROA spectral intensity variations, two-dimensional correlation methods are applied to ROA and Raman spectra monitoring the α-helix-to-β-sheet transition in poly(L-lysine) as a function of temperature. Pretreatment of data using background subtraction, normalization and gentle smoothing is essential for the successful generation of 2D ROA correlations, 2D Raman correlations and 2D Raman/ROA heterocorrelations. The pseudoscalar nature of ROA spectra results in detailed 2D correlation analyses providing extensive interpretation of spectral intensity variations. Synchronous plots indicate band assignments consistent with established assignments in poly(L-lysine) together with possible new assignments. Corresponding asynchronous plots probe the temporal sequence of the conformational transition indicating distinct temporal phases while monitoring aggregation through a small amount of β-structure present at the start of the experiment ahead of α-helix unfolding. This study demonstrates the potential of 2D correlation analysis as a valuable technique for the extraction of detailed information about aggregation and conformational transitions in polypeptides and proteins from associated ROA and Raman spectra. Results indicate that aggregation of poly(L-lysine) monomers precedes intramolecular conversion of α-helix to β-sheet, which is then followed by fibril formation.

AB - Raman optical activity (ROA) has evolved into an incisive probe of structure and conformational transitions in polypeptides and proteins revealing many signal patterns characteristic of specific secondary structural elements. In order to further facilitate analysis of ROA spectral intensity variations, two-dimensional correlation methods are applied to ROA and Raman spectra monitoring the α-helix-to-β-sheet transition in poly(L-lysine) as a function of temperature. Pretreatment of data using background subtraction, normalization and gentle smoothing is essential for the successful generation of 2D ROA correlations, 2D Raman correlations and 2D Raman/ROA heterocorrelations. The pseudoscalar nature of ROA spectra results in detailed 2D correlation analyses providing extensive interpretation of spectral intensity variations. Synchronous plots indicate band assignments consistent with established assignments in poly(L-lysine) together with possible new assignments. Corresponding asynchronous plots probe the temporal sequence of the conformational transition indicating distinct temporal phases while monitoring aggregation through a small amount of β-structure present at the start of the experiment ahead of α-helix unfolding. This study demonstrates the potential of 2D correlation analysis as a valuable technique for the extraction of detailed information about aggregation and conformational transitions in polypeptides and proteins from associated ROA and Raman spectra. Results indicate that aggregation of poly(L-lysine) monomers precedes intramolecular conversion of α-helix to β-sheet, which is then followed by fibril formation.

U2 - 10.1080/00268970500493425

DO - 10.1080/00268970500493425

M3 - Journal article

VL - 104

SP - 1429

EP - 1445

JO - Molecular Physics

JF - Molecular Physics

SN - 0026-8976

IS - 9

ER -