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Reverse Stability of Oxyluciferin Isomers in Aqueous Solutions
Yoshifumi Noguchi1, Miyabi Hiyama1, Motoyuki Shiga2
1Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan.
Abstract:
We investigated the stability of oxyluciferin anions (keto, enol, and enolate isomers) in aqueous solution at room temperature by performing a nanosecond time scale first-principles molecular dynamics simulation. In contrast to all previous quantum chemistry calculations, which suggested the keto-type to be the most stable, we show that the enol-type is slightly more stable than the keto-type, in agreement with some recent experimental studies. The simulation highlights the remarkable hydrophobicity of the keto-type by the cavity formed at the oxyluciferin-water interface as well as a reduction in hydrophobicity with the number of hydrating water molecules. It is therefore predicted that the isomeric form in a hydrated cluster is size-dependent.
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