[Influence of heavy water (D20) on the conformation and UV-sensitivity of proteins]

The heavy water (D2O) has been shown to induce the conformational transitions in trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin. The transfer of proteins from H2O into D2O results a change in their sensitivity to UV-light. An increase in sensitivity to the irradiation at 248 nm and a decrease in sensitivity to the irradiation at 280 nm were observed. The quantum yield of chromophore photolysis (for cystyne and tryptophan) is correspondingly changed. However, although the quantum yield of sensitized reduction of cystine by solvated electrons photochemically ejected from the aromatic acid residues during irradiation at 280 nm increases instead of a rise a drop in the quantum yield of protein inactivation is registered. The data obtained are discussed in terms of importance of solvated shell for conformational stability of proteins. The solvated electrons are suggested to be transfered mainly to nonessential disulfide bridges within trypsin molecule. Rupture of these bonds does not result in trypsin inactivation.