Conformation of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid in liquid water.
We study the conformation and reorientation dynamics of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) under neutral and acidic conditions using a combination of broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and polarization-resolved femtosecond mid-infrared pump-probe spectroscopy. We find that both zwitterionic and cationic GABA adopt nearly linear conformations in aqueous solution, meaning that the two charged functional groups of the GABA zwitterion are hydrated separately.
FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ottosson@amolf.nl bakker@amolf.nl.
N
N
Ottosson
M
M
Pastorczak
Sietse T
ST
van der Post
Huib J
HJ
Bakker
D008968:Molecular Conformation; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D011392:Proline / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000737:chemistry*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014867:Water; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D011392:Proline