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A computational study on how structure influences the optical properties in model crystal structures of amyloid fibrils

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Grisanti, L 
Pinotsi, D 
Gebauer, R 
Kaminski, GS 
Hassanali, AA 

Abstract

Amyloid fibrils have been shown to have peculiar optical properties since they can exhibit fluorescence in the absence of aromatic residues. In a recent study, we have shown that proton transfer (PT) events along hydrogen bonds (HBs) are coupled to absorption in the near UV range. Here, we gain more insights into the different types of hydrogen bonding interactions that occur in our model systems and the molecular factors that control the susceptibility of the protons to undergo PT and how this couples to the optical properties. In the case of the strong N–C termini interactions, a nearby methionine residue stabilizes the non-zwitterionic NH2–COOH pair, while zwitterionic NH3+–COO– is stabilized by the proximity of nearby crystallographic water molecules. Proton motion along the hydrogen bonds in the fibril is intimately coupled to the compression of the heavier atoms, similar to what is observed in bulk water. Small changes in the compression of the hydrogen bonds in the protein can lead to significant changes in both the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces associated with PT. Finally, we also reinforce the importance of nuclear quantum fluctuations of protons in the HBs of the amyloid proteins.

Description

Keywords

Amyloid, Crystallization, Hydrogen Bonding, Models, Chemical, Models, Molecular, Optical Phenomena, Protons

Journal Title

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1463-9076
1463-9084

Volume Title

19

Publisher

Royal Society of Chemistry
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (203249/Z/16/Z)