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Breakthrough in molecular research: New insights into 2-thiouracil!
A research team from Goethe University and DESY achieves a breakthrough using 2-thiouracil at the European XFEL for UV analysis.
Breakthrough in molecular research: New insights into 2-thiouracil!
An international research team led by Goethe University and the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) has achieved a significant breakthrough in molecular research. How puk.uni-frankfurt.de reported, the chemically related active ingredient 2-thiouracil was investigated, whose importance lies in the development of immunosuppressants and cytostatics, although it is not currently used therapeutically.
The study shows that UV radiation deforms 2-thiouracil and increases its reactivity. This finding is of great importance because many biologically important molecules change shape upon UV excitation, which has so far been poorly understood.
Innovative techniques of molecular analysis
The innovative technique of Coulomb explosion imaging was used to analyze the molecular changes. This method makes it possible to examine molecules with intense X-ray pulses. The molecule becomes extremely positively charged and disintegrates within fractions of a second. Information about the structure of the molecule can be read from the direction of the fragments.
The experiment took place at the SQS experimental station of the European XFEL. The combination of Coulomb explosion imaging with a new experimental setup made it possible to analyze more complex molecules. X-ray pulses from the European XFEL allow larger molecules to be examined by introducing them into the X-ray beam using a fine gas nozzle.
A crucial step in the investigation was the injection of a UV pulse, which appears shortly before the X-ray pulse and excites the molecules. In this way, a slow-motion film of the events was created by varying the time interval between the pulse sequences. The experiments show that 2-thiouracil bends under UV excitation, which is due to the specific properties of the sulfur atom. This atom inhibits the conversion of UV radiation into harmless heat.
Relevance for research
Reconstruction of the molecule can be done to some extent without the need for all atoms, with only sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen nuclei needing to be detected. These results were published in the renowned specialist journalNature Communicationspublished. In addition, a variety of other studies, such as those by Kneuttinger et al., discuss the importance of UV-induced DNA pyrimidine lesions and their repair mechanisms.
In summary, research shows that the changes and dynamics of molecules under UV light have more influence on biological processes than previously assumed, and thus offers important clues for the further development of therapeutic approaches in the fields of chemistry and biology.