Application of Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectrosocpy Under Electrochemical Control for Structural Studies of Biomimetic Assemblies

Abstract

Abstract An ideal bioanalytical method would allow carrying out sensitive, selective, reproducible, fast, and in situ chemical measurements of the composition, structure and function of complex biological systems. Physical chemistry possesses advanced structure analyzing techniques which are suitable to solve, at a sub-molecular level, the structure of biomolecules. However, the prerequisite of the presence of the electrolyte solution limits the number of applicable structure analyzing techniques. Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most powerful analytical techniques used to identify the structure of biomolecules, monitor structural changes under various experimental environments and physical states. In addition, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) has been successfully applied to study supramolecular films at the solid|liquid interface. Assemblies of biomolecules belong to a particularly demanding because they bring specific for the maintenance of their functions experimental requirements which have to be taken into account planning in situ spectroelectrochemical experiments. In this paper potnential of in situ IRRAS under electrochemical control for studies of structural changes in assemblies of biomolecules such as lipid bilayers and protein films is described. Studies of different classes of biomolecules bring certain experimetnal conditions concerning the electrolyte composition, pH value, temperature or chemical nature of the solid support, which have to be fulfilled. Obviously, these conditons may significantly restrict the applicability of the in situ PM IRRAS. The selection of the solid substrate with required optical and electrical properties, the optical window and the electrolyte composition have to be adapted to the needs of biomolecules. Adjustement of experimetnal conditions as well as possibilites of the enlargement of the in situ PM IRRAS for studies of biomimetic assemblies is reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, experimetnal resutls reporting potenial driven changes in models of cell membranes and protein films are reviewed. Pioneering studies aiminig at the determination of structural changes in lipid membranes exposed to physiological electric fields and interacting simultaneously with protiens are described.