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Multiphoton-excited serotonin photochemistry.

Michael L Gostkowski¹, Richard Allen, Matthew L Plenert

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and The Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.

Biophysical Journal

|April 28, 2004

Summary

Researchers studied serotonin's multiphoton-excited reaction, finding that near-infrared light absorption by an intermediate state boosts photoproduct yield. This enhances the generation of a fluorescent molecule, crucial for photochemistry research.

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Area of Science:

Photochemistry
Photophysics
Spectroscopy

Background:

Serotonin undergoes multiphoton excitation, yielding a fluorescent photoproduct.
Understanding the reaction mechanism and optimizing photoproduct generation is key for applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of an intermediate state in serotonin photochemistry.
To enhance the yield of the fluorescent photoproduct using near-infrared light.
To characterize the intermediate state and the photoproduct's fluorescence spectrum.

Main Methods:

Three-photon absorption to prepare an intermediate state in serotonin.
Near-infrared light excitation of the intermediate state.
Measurement of photoproduct formation yield and action cross sections.

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Determination of the two-photon fluorescence action spectrum.

Main Results:

Absorption of near-infrared light by the intermediate state significantly enhances photoproduct formation.
Largest action cross sections (approx. 10^-19 cm^2) were observed at shorter wavelengths.
The intermediate state has a lifetime of at least tens of nanoseconds.
The fluorescent photoproduct exhibits a two-photon fluorescence action spectrum with a maximum around 780 nm.

Conclusions:

A proposed mechanism explains the enhanced photoproduct formation via an excited intermediate state.
The findings provide insights into controlling photochemical reactions using tailored light absorption.
This work contributes to understanding serotonin photochemistry and developing related technologies.