Investigation of secondary structure elements by IR/UV double resonance spectroscopy: analysis of an isolated beta-sheet model system

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 Apr 9;130(14):4692-8. doi: 10.1021/ja076031c. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Abstract

An isolated beta-sheet model system is investigated in a molecular beam experiment by means of mass- and isomer-selective IR/R2PI double resonance spectroscopy as well as ab initio and DFT calculations. As the exclusive intermolecular assembly, a beta-sheet motif is formed by spontaneous dimerization of two isolated peptide molecules. This secondary structure is produced from the tripeptide model Ac-Val-Tyr(Me)-NHMe without any further environment to form the binding motif which is analyzed by both the characteristic amide A and I vibrations. The experimental and theoretical investigations yield the assignment to an antiparallel beta-sheet model. The result of this detailed spectroscopic analysis on an isolated beta-sheet model indicates that there are intrinsic properties of a beta-sheet structure which can be formed without a solvent or a peptidic environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dipeptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared / methods
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / methods

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Peptides
  • valyltyrosine