Hyper-Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of Protein Conformation Associated with Osmolytes and Water Molecules

• Project/Area Number: 24K17652
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 32010:Fundamental physical chemistry-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: 劉 宗翰 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 助教 (10825475)
• Project Period (FY): 2024-04-01 – 2027-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000); Fiscal Year 2024: ¥3,640,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥840,000)
• Keywords: hydrogen bonding / hyper-Raman spectroscopy / water / osmolyte / protein

Outline of Research at the Start

Conformations of proteins are highly correlated to intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding formation. Osmolytes as water-structure makers/breakers influence hydrogen bonding networks. Especially in mammalian cells, protein (un)folding is also closely related to some natural osmolytes, also known as stabilizing/denaturing agents of proteins. To systematically investigate vibrational modes reflecting intermolecular interactions, the applicant would like to construct a composite spectroscopic system to simultaneously obtain Raman and HR signals from proteins, osmolytes, and water molecules.