Structural studies on serum albumins under green light irradiation

Eur Biophys J. 2010 Oct;39(11):1483-91. doi: 10.1007/s00249-010-0606-y. Epub 2010 May 16.

Abstract

This paper presents two new experimental results: the protective effect of green light (GL) on ultraviolet (UV) denaturation of proteins, and the effect of GL on protein macromolecular structures. The protective effect of GL was revealed on two serum albumins, bovine (BSA) and human (HSA), and recorded by electrophoresis, absorption, and circular dichroism spectra. The effect of GL irradiation on protein structure was recorded by using fluorescence spectroscopy and electrophoresis. These new effects were modeled by quantum-chemistry computation using Gaussian 03 W, leading to good fit between theoretical and experimental absorption and circular dichroism spectra. A mechanism for these phenomena is suggested, based on a double-photon absorption process. This nonlinear effect may lead to generation of long-lived Rydberg macromolecular systems, capable of long-range interactions. These newly suggested systems, with macroscopic quantum coherence behaviors, may block the UV denaturation processes.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Color
  • Electrophoresis
  • Humans
  • Light*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation / radiation effects
  • Protein Denaturation / radiation effects
  • Serum Albumin / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Serum Albumin