title: Insights into Protein Structure and Dynamics by Ultraviolet and Visible Resonance Raman Spectroscopy.
abstract: Raman spectroscopy is a form of vibrational spectroscopy based on inelastic scattering of light. In resonance Raman spectroscopy, the wavelength of the incident light falls within an absorption band of a chromophore, and this overlap of excitation and absorption energy greatly enhances the Raman scattering efficiency of the absorbing species. The ability to probe vibrational spectra of select chromophores within a complex mixture of molecules makes resonance Raman spectroscopy an excellent tool for studies of biomolecules. In this Current Topic, we discuss the type of molecular insights obtained from steady-state and time-resolved resonance Raman studies of a prototypical photoactive protein, rhodopsin. We also review recent efforts in ultraviolet resonance Raman investigations of soluble and membrane-associated biomolecules, including integral membrane proteins and antimicrobial peptides. These examples illustrate that resonance Raman is a sensitive, selective, and practical method for studying the structures of biological molecules, and the molecular bonding, geometry, and environments of protein cofactors, the backbone, and side chains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López-Peña
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Brian S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Diana E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Schlamadinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Judy E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D012243:Rhodopsin