Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Ultra-violet Absorption Spectra of Proteins in Deuterium Oxide

Abstract

THE absorption spectra of proteins are characterized by two absorptions in the ultra-violet region, one at 2800 and the other near 2000 Å. The former has been ascribed to the phenol1,2, indole3 and phenyl groups4 of tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. The other absorption at 2000 Å. may be attributed to peptide bonds6. Since the absorption at 2800 Å. is due to the chromophoric groups of aromatic amino-acids, this absorption is absent in proteins, such as clupein, which do not contain aromatic amino-acid, and they have only one absorption near 2000 Å.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Beaven, G. H., Holiday, E. R., and Jope, E. M., Dis. Farad. Soc., 9, 406 (1950).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Sizer, I. W., and Peacock, A. C., J. Biol. Chem., 171, 767 (1947).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sponer, H., and Teller, E., Rev. Mod. Phys., 13, 75 (1941).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Loofbourow, J. R., Rev. Mod. Phys., 12, 267 (1940).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Blacet, J. C., Young, W. G., and Roof, J. G., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 59, 608 (1937).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Baba, H., J. Chem. Soc. Japan, 72, 74, 341 (1951).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Block, R. J., Bolling, D., Bershon, H., and Sober, H. A., Proc. Soc Exp. Biol. Med., 70, 494 (1949).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

TAKASHIMA, S. Ultra-violet Absorption Spectra of Proteins in Deuterium Oxide. Nature 187, 597–598 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/187597a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/187597a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing