Characterization of protein in old myocardial infarction by FTIR micro-spectroscopy

J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2010 Aug;30(4):546-50. doi: 10.1007/s11596-010-0466-9. Epub 2010 Aug 17.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess whether Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy could produce distinct spectral information on protein of old myocardial infarction (OMI) and to set them as molecular markers to diagnose atypical OMI. Paraffin-embedded heart samples were derived from victims dying of OMI. In combination with histological stain, FTIR and infrared micro-spectroscopy, the characteristics of OMI were analyzed morphologically and molecularly. The most relevant bands identified were the amide A, B, I and, II showing crucial spectral differences between apparent normal region and OMI region, including the peak position blue shift and the increased intensity of OMI, moreover relative increase in alpha-helix and decrease in beta-sheet of protein secondary structures in OMI. Comparing to single spectral band, the I1650/I1550 ratio was increased and rationally used as a molecular marker for diagnosing OMI. These novel preliminary findings supported further exploration of FTIR molecular profiling in clinical or forensic study, and were in accordance with histopathology.

MeSH terms

  • Forensic Pathology / methods
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism*
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods*

Substances

  • Proteins