Reaction mechanisms in the radiolysis of peptides, polypeptides, and proteins. I. Reactions of the peptide main-chain in model systems

The object of this review is to bring together and to correlate our present knowledge of products and mechanisms in the radiolysis of peptides, polypeptides and proteins in both aqueous and solid-state systems. Results obtained with various experimental techniques such as product analysis, competition kinetics, ESR spectroscopy and pulse radiolysis are included. Here in part I the emphasis is on the various radiation-induced reactions of the peptide main-chain in model systems. In part II the emphasis is on the radiation chemistry of side-chain loci of the aliphatic, sulfur-containing, aromatic and other unsaturated amino acid residues in similar systems. And, in part III this information on model systems is used in interpreting the mechanisms of chemical change in the radiolysis of proteins in aqueous solution and in the solid state. 60 references