Electron Spin Resonance Studies of Radiation Damage to Peptides

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958 · Journal of Physical Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j150565a004· OSTI ID:4332104

McCormick, Gene; Gordy, Walter

Effects of x-irradiation on numerous dipeptides and tripeptides were investigated through observation of the electron spin resonance patterns of the free radicals produced by the irradiation. Most of the resonances have hyperfine structure arising from interaction of the free electron spin with the spins of hydrogen nuclei. The patterns were generally found to be different for different peptides and also different in most instances from those obtained by x- irradiation of their constituent amino acids. With few exceptions the patterns are also different from those obtained from x-irradiation of proteins. Tentative identifications of some of the free radicals produced are made from their proton hyperfine structure. For some of the peptides oxygen was found to kill the resonance and for others to alter its structure. The results indicate that certain groups containing sulfur or the tyrosine ring. when a constituent of a polypeptide or protein, can act as protective agents to prevent radiation damage to other parts of the protein or polypeptide.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ., Durham, N.C.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-12-013792
• OSTI ID: 4332104
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 62; ISSN 0022-3654
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
AMINO ACIDS
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
ELECTRONS
FREE RADICALS
HYDROGEN
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE
INTERACTIONS
IRRADIATION
NUCLEI
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
PEPTIDES
PROTEINS
PROTONS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RESONANCE
SPIN
TYROSINE
X RADIATION