Nitration of internal tyrosine of cytochrome c probed by resonance Raman scattering

Tyrosines can be selectively nitrated in a protein and the resultant chromophore can be used as an in situ probe of the tyrosine environment. Resonance Raman scattering could have specific advantages as a detection method because of the inherent selectivity of the technique and because shifts in the intensity and frequency of the nitro stretch can be detected and related to the form and environment of the nitrotyrosine. To evaluate this possibility the internal residue Tyr67 of cytochrome c was nitrated and resonance Raman scattering was recorded. With 413.1-nm excitation the resonance scattering from the heme protein dominates, but with 457.9-nm excitation intense bands due to nitrostretching vibrations are readily observed. The frequency of the internal Tyr67 indicates an aqueous environment that suggests that on nitration this residue becomes exposed on the protein surface or that water enters the active pocket. pH dependent measurements can be used to follow the protonation of the residue. A pK(a) of approximately 7 also indicates an aqueous environment. This initial study indicates that resonance Raman scattering does have unique advantages as an in situ probe of the local structure of nitrated tyrosine residues.