The study of Turnip Mosaic virus coat protein by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Using Turnip Mosaic virus (TuMV) coat protein as material, the secondary structure has been studied by both normal Raman spectroscopy (NRS) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The NRS of TuMV coat protein under certain conditions showed the α-helix, β-sheet and random coil structure. The CSSC comformations are trans—gauche—gauche and gauche—gauche—gauche . The SERS spectrum of TuMV coat protein under certain conditions reveals the α-helix structure. By studying SERS at different adsorbing times, we have observed the amide III vibration of α-helix, β-sheet and random coil structure. The CSSC conformations drawn from the SERS spectra are trans—gauche—gauche and trans—gauche—trans . Besides the amide I, amide III and CSSC bands, the CαCN band, aromatic amino acid bands and some other bands can also be seen in the SERS spectra.