Terahertz Spectroscopic Analysis in Protein Dynamics: Current Status

Proteins play a key role in living organisms. The study of proteins and their dynamics provides information about functionality, catalysis potential alterations towards pathological diseases. Several techniques are used for studying protein dynamics, e.g., magnetic resonance, fluorescence imaging techniques, mid-infrared spectroscopy biochemical assays. Spectroscopic analysis, based on the use terahertz (THz) radiation with frequencies between 0.1 15 THz (3–500 cm?1), was underestimated by community. In recent years, however, analysis both simple structures, such as polypeptide molecules, complex complexes, has been demonstrated. absorption spectrum some proteins: small molecules is dominated individual modes related to presence hydrogen bonds. For peptides, spectral concerns secondary structure, while globular viral glycoproteins, spectra also provide collective modes. this short review, we discuss results obtained investigations. particular, will illustrate advantages applications spectroscopy, pointing out complementary it may provide.