Showing papers on "Fluorescence spectrometry published in 1988"

Subattomole amino acid analysis by capillary zone electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence

Abstract: Subattomole analysis of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) derivatives of amino acids is accomplished by combining capillary zone electrophoresis for high-efficiency separation with laser-induced fluorescence for high-sensitivity detection. Concentration detection limits range from 5 x 10(-12) molar for alanine to 9 x 10(-11) molar for lysine, injected in the column; 9 x 10(-21) mole of alanine is contained within the approximately 1-nanoliter injection volume at the detection limit. The alanine detection limit corresponds to fewer than 6000 molecules injected onto the column and represents an improvement of four orders of magnitude in the state of the art for fluorescent detection of amino acids and an improvement of six orders of magnitude in the state of the art for the detection limit for isothiocyanate derivatives of amino acids.

pH regulation in single glomerular mesangial cells. I. Acid extrusion in absence and presence of HCO3

Abstract: We have developed a technique to measure the fluorescence of a pH-sensitive dye (2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein) in single glomerular mesangial cells in culture. The intracellular fluo...

Antioxidant protection by haemopexin of haem-stimulated lipid peroxidation.

Abstract: Haem (ferrous protoporphyrin IX) is a reactive low-molecular-mass form of iron able to participate in oxygen-radical reactions that can lead to the degradation of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA. Oxygen-radical reactions are likely to occur upon tissue damage. Extracellular fluids rely on antioxidant mechanisms different from those found inside the cell, and circulating proteins limit radical reactions by converting pro-oxidant forms of iron into less-reactive forms. Of the compounds tested, only apohaemopexin and the chain-breaking antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene inhibited (by more than 90%) haemin-stimulated peroxidation as measured by formation of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid-reactive material from linolenic acid or peroxidation-induced phospholipid fluorescence. Haptoglobin, the haemoglobin-binding serum protein, was ineffective. Conversely, only haptoglobin significantly inhibited haemoglobin-stimulated lipid peroxidation. Iron-salt-induced lipid peroxidation was inhibited only by apotransferrin and the iron-chelator desferrioxamine. All lipid peroxidations were inhibited by the radical scavengers butylated hydroxytoluene and propyl gallate. These findings support the concept that transport and conservation of body iron stores are closely linked to antioxidant protection.

Quantitative evaluation of vascular permeability in the gerbil brain after transient ischemia using Evans blue fluorescence.

Abstract: Mongolian gerbils were used to evaluate brain edema during restoration of flow following bilateral carotid occlusion for 1 h. We have modified the method for fluorometric measurement of Evans blue to monitor vascular protein leakage (vasogenic edema). The extraction of extravasated Evans blue was performed by homogenizing the whole brain in 50% trichloroacetic acid. The supernatant was diluted fourfold with ethanol and the Evans blue fluorescence was measured. The tissue blank was negligible. Evans blue content of the plasma was similarly determined and the ratio of tissue to plasma Evans blue content was calculated. Furthermore, Evans blue fluorescence was used for microscopic investigation. It is suggested that Evans blue fluorescence can be applied for quantification of protein leakage with much more sensitivity and accuracy than the colorimetric absorbance method, as well as for tissue localization of protein leakage.

Optimization of sensitivity and separation in capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect fluorescence detection

Abstract: Laser-induced indirect fluorescence detection can be used a general detector in capillary zone electrophoresis. Indirect fluorescence detection, where a fluorophore is used as the principal component of the electrophoretic buffer, allows the visualization of nonfluorescing ions through charge displacement of the fluorophore. Stabilization of laser power improves the dynamic reserve to 10/sup 3/ without the complication of double-beam correction techniques. A modification of the CZE power supply allows the use of dilute solutions and narrow bore capillary tubing (< 15 ..mu..m i.d.). The stability of the background fluorescence is improved by silylation of the fused silica capillary. These modifications improve the detection limits for many anions, nucleotides, and proteins to the range of 50-100 amol of sample injected. Additionally, this improvement in sensitivity results in a concomitant increase in separation efficiency. The electrophoretic separation can be optimized by calculating effective mobilities of ions based on their dissociation as a function of pH. More than 300,000 theoretical plates are observed in a separation of the nucleotide 5'-monophosphates optimized in this manner.

Molecular Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, and Chemiluminescence Spectrometry

Abstract: As you may have already noted, this year introduces a new set of authors for this fundamental review. As new authors, they hope that they can do as accurate a job as did their predecessor, Professor Earl Wehry, of the University of Tennessee. The format for this review follows the basic outline used by Professor Wehry, with some modifications. They have condensed several sections and eliminated the section on gas-phase chemiluminescence. The primary areas of emphasis including advances in experimental techniques, developments in instrumentation, and applications for chemical analysis, remain the same. To keep the review at a reasonable length, they have not included articles that are only peripherally related to analytical chemistry or those that represent straightforward extensions or demonstrations of previously published research. In this first issue, it is likely that they have made some errors of omission, and they request your assistance in identifying any obvious errors. They have tried to be conscientious in surveying the literature and have also surveyed individual researchers in the field. This review covers literature indexed by Chemical Abstracts from January, 1985, Vol. 102, issue 1, through October 1987, Vol. 107, issue 16. Accordingly, there will be some overlap between this reviewmore » and Professor Wehry's last review.« less

Annular and nonannular binding sites for cholesterol associated with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Abstract: Interactions between lipids and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica have been measured in reconstituted membranes containing purified receptor and defined lipids. The ability of brominated lipids to partially quench the intrinsic fluorescence of the acetylcholine receptor has been exploited to monitor contacts between the protein and the surrounding lipid. Relative binding constants for lipid binding to the protein have been quantitatively determined by measuring quenching observed in mixtures of brominated and nonbrominated lipids by use of equilibrium exchange equations developed by London and Feigenson [London, E., & Feigenson, G. W. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 1939-1948] and by Simmonds et al. [Simmonds, A. C., Rooney, E. K., & Lee, A. G. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1432-1441]. Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine and its dibromo derivative are the two principal lipids used in the reconstituted membranes to establish the quenching parameters. Competition studies between cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine indicate that cholesterol does not compete effectively for the phospholipid sites presumed to surround the membrane-embedded portions of the receptor (annular lipids). However, dibromocholesterol partially quenches the receptor and leads to additional quenching of receptor in pure dibromophosphatidylcholine membranes. The results are consistent with the presence of additional binding sites for cholesterol that are not accessible to phospholipids (nonannular sites). Similar results are obtained by using cholesterol hemisuccinate and its dibromo analogue, both of which can be introduced into membranes more easily than cholesterol because of their greater solubility in water. Fatty acids appear to compete for both annular and nonannular sites, and analysis of the quenching data suggests that there are 5-10 nonannular sites associated with the receptor. Cholesterol has been shown to play a critical role in both acetylcholine receptor structural stabilization and ion channel activity, and the results presented here provide additional information about cholesterol-receptor interactions.

Analysis of Synechococcus pigment types in the sea using single and dual beam flow cytometry

Abstract: Distributions and optical properties of Synechococcus cells were studied at sea using flow cytometric techniques to distinguish between several different pigment types. Cells with only phycoerythrobilin chromophores were distinguished from those with both phycoerythrobilin and phycourobilin (PUB) chromophores by exciting with 488 nm light and measuring the resulting phycoerythrin fluorescence below 560 nm (green) and above 560 nm (orange). All populations detected had green/orange emission ratios similar to PUB-containing strains of Synechococcus in culture. In addition, the ratio of fluorescence emission intensity resulting from excitation at 488 and 515 nm was used to measure the relative PUB content of the cells. In the majority of samples, we found ratios as high or higher than those of the cultured strains considered to have unusually high PUB contents. These findings suggest that our perception of the characteristics of Synechococcus populations in the open ocean may have been biased by studies of cells from culture collections. According to our survey, virtually all Synechococcus cells in the open ocean contain PUB and most of them have very high relative PUB contents. This gives them absorption properties not very different from those of the eukaryotic phytoplankton, and this could explain why photosynthetic action spectra have suggested that light absorption by phycoerythrobilin-rich phycoerythrin (at about 550 nm) is relatively unimportant in the open ocean.

Evidence that agonists stimulate bivalent-cation influx into human endothelial cells

Abstract: Human umbilical-vein endothelial cells stimulated with thrombin or histamine show an increase in [Ca2+]i (cytoplasmic free calcium concn.) that is maintained well above the basal pre-stimulated value as long as agonist and a source of extracellular Ca2+ are present. These results provide circumstantial evidence that agonists stimulate influx of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane and into the cytoplasm. Here, we have used Mn2+ as the extracellular bivalent cation which can bind to the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 to quench its fluorescence completely. Human umbilical-vein endothelial cells were loaded with fura-2 and, in the presence of extracellular Mn2+, thrombin and histamine were shown to cause quenching of the intracellular dye. This result demonstrates conclusively that agonists can stimulate the influx of bivalent cations. Stimulated discharge of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and influx of Mn2+ were temporally resolved in the same cells to show that release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores clearly precedes influx. Influx of Mn2+ was also demonstrated when extracellular Mn2+ was added after agonist at a time when [Ca2+]i had fallen back to the basal value, showing that influx is not dependent on elevated [Ca2+]i.

PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF meso‐TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN and SOME meso‐TETRA(HYDROXYPHENYL)PORPHYRINS

Abstract: — The o-, m-, and p-isomers of 5, 10, 15, 20- tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin have been of recent interest as potential second-generation sensitisers in tumour phototherapy. Fluorescence spectroscopy, nanosecond laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis have been used to characterise the singlet and triplet excited states of tetraphenylporphyrin and the o, m-, and p-isomers of tetra(hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin. This has included evaluation of fluorescence yields and lifetimes, triplet spectra, lifetimes, oxygen quenching rate constants, extinction coefficients, and yields and singlet oxygen yields. Whilst the fluorescence quantum yields were low, the triplet yields were all 0.7 ± 10% and the singlet oxygen yields 0.6 ± 10%: all these parameters are in the ranges shown by other efficient porphyrin photosensitisers. The similar photophysical properties found for these compounds suggest that their differing tumour sensitising efficiencies are likely to be due to other factors.

Stability mutants of staphylococcal nuclease: large compensating enthalpy-entropy changes for the reversible denaturation reaction.

Abstract: By use of intrinsic fluorescence to determine the apparent equilibrium constant Kapp as a function of temperature, the midpoint temperature Tm and apparent enthalpy change delta Happ on reversible thermal denaturation have been determined over a range of pH values for wild-type staphylococcal nuclease and six mutant forms. For wild-type nuclease at pH 7.0, a Tm of 53.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C and a delta Happ of 86.8 +/- 1.4 kcal/mol were obtained, in reasonable agreement with values determined calorimetrically, 52.8 degrees C and 96 +/- 2 kcal/mol. The heat capacity change on denaturation delta Cp was estimated at 1.8 kcal/(mol K) versus the calorimetric value of 2.2 kcal/(mol K). When values of delta Happ and delta Sapp for a series of mutant nucleases that exhibit markedly altered denaturation behavior with guanidine hydrochloride and urea were compared at the same temperature, compensating changes in enthalpy and entropy were observed that greatly reduce the overall effect of the mutations on the free energy of denaturation. In addition, a correlation was found between the estimated delta Cp for the mutant proteins and the d(delta Gapp)/dC for guanidine hydrochloride denaturation. It is proposed that both the enthalpy/entropy compensation and this correlation between two seemingly unrelated denaturation parameters are consequences of large changes in the solvation of the denatured state that result from the mutant amino acid substitutions.

Elbow motion in the immunoglobulins involves a molecular ball-and-socket joint

Abstract: Studies by electron microscopy, fluorescence polarization, hydrodynamics and X-ray crystallography have demonstrated the ability of different parts of immunoglobulin molecules to move relative to each other. This movement facilitates the multiple interactions that antibodies make with polyvalent antigens and effector proteins. Comparisons of the atomic structures of immunoglobulins of the same sequence in different crystal environments, and of those with different sequences, have shown that the movements involve local changes in the conformation of the peptides linking different domains. These changes occur in (1) the hinge regions that link the Fab fragment to the Fc, and (2) the switch regions that link the VL–VH dimer to the CL–CH1 dimer1–15. We show here that in immunoglobulins of known structure, the movement of the VL–VH dimer relative to the CL–CH1 dimer also involves the interactions of three VH and two CH1 residues that form the molecular equivalent of a ball-and-socket joint. The almost absolute conservation in the sequences of immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors of the residues that form these interactions suggests that this is a general feature of functional importance.

Spectral, Photophysical, and Stability Properties of Isolated Photosystem II Reaction Center.

Abstract: Photosystem II reaction center (RC) preparations isolated from spinach (Spinacea oleracea) by the Nanba-Satoh procedure (O Nanba, K Satoh 1987 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84: 109-112) are quite labile, even at 4°C in the dark. Simple spectroscopic criteria were developed to characterize the native state of the material. Degradation of the RC results in (a) blue-shifting of the red-most absorption maximum, (b) a shift of the 77 K fluorescence maximum from ∼682 nm to ∼670 nm, and (c) a shift of fluorescence lifetime components from 1.3-4 nanoseconds and >25 nanoseconds to ∼6-7 nanoseconds. Fluorescence properties at 77 K seem to be a more sensitive spectral indicator of the integrity of the material. The >25 nanosecond lifetime component is assigned to P680+ Pheophytin− recombination luminescence, which suggests a correlation between the observed spectral shifts and the photochemical competence of the preparation. Substitution of lauryl maltoside for Triton X-100 immediately after RC isolation stabilizes the RCs and suggests that Triton may be responsible for the instability.

Ultrafast emission spectroscopy in the ultraviolet by time‐gated upconversion

Abstract: We have built a new apparatus to time resolve ultrafast fluorescence following ultraviolet excitation. A synchronously pumped dye laser produces optical pulses of 1‐ps or 70‐fs full‐width half‐maximum, depending upon dyes and optical configuration. These pulses are amplified at a 8.2‐kHz repetition rate using a copper vapor laser‐pumped multipass amplifier. The resulting amplified laser pulses are frequency doubled to obtain ultrafast pulses in the ultraviolet. This ultraviolet light is used to electronically excite a sample; the resulting fluorescence is time resolved using fluorescence upconversion as the optical gating technique. A minimum 300‐fs full‐width half‐maximum instrument response function is obtained. After a brief introduction, we discuss the principles involved in this method of time resolving fluorescence. We review special considerations for femtosecond laser experimentation, and discuss the construction of our apparatus. Finally, as an example, we show how this system can be used to stud...

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the location of PRODAN in lipid bilayers and cellular membranes

Abstract: The effects of hydrostatic pressure on the location of 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene (PRODAN), an environmentally sensitive fluorescent probe, in phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayers and in goldfish brain synaptic membranes have been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy over the pressure range of 0.001-2 kbar. The emission spectrum of PRODAN in all the membrane systems examined exhibits two local maxima: one centers at around 435 nm and the other at about 510 nm. The intensity ratio of these two peaks, F435/F510, increases as pressure increases; in the particular case of dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles [DMPC(MLV)], a dramatic change in F435/F510 appears at the lipid phase transition pressure. As pressure varies, an isoemissive point is seen in both egg yolk phosphatidylcholines and goldfish brain synaptic membranes; however, no isoemissive point is observed in DMPC(MLV). The presence of an isoemissive point is attributed to a pressure-induced relocation of PRODAN from the "polar" disposition (the 510-nm peak) to the "less polar" disposition (the 435-nm peak). The absence of an isoemissive point in the case of DMPC(MLV) is probably due to the lack of void space in the lipid matrix, as a result of tight lipid packing. Apparently, the probe relocation takes place in unsaturated systems, and PRODAN favors a more hydrophobic environment under pressure. However, on the basis of the emission spectra, PRODAN seems to remain more or less at the interfacial region over the pressure range examined. In goldfish brain synaptic membranes, the PRODAN polarization increases with pressure, giving dT/dP values of 15-20 degrees C kbar-1 for both dispositions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Measurement of Intracellular Fluorescence of Human Monocytes Relative to Oxidative Metabolism

Abstract: Human monocytes (MN) produce O2- and H2O2 when stimulated by agonists. Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) has been used as a substrate for measuring intracellular oxidant production in neutrophils. DCFH-DA is hydrolyzed by esterases to dichlorofluorescin (DCFH), which is trapped within the cell. This nonfluorescent molecule is then oxidized to fluorescent dichlorofluorescin (DCF) by action of cellular oxidants. DCFH-DA can not be appreciably oxidized to a fluorescent state without prior hydrolysis. We have examined the utility of DCFH-DA for the assessment of monocyte oxidative responses. The levels of intracellular fluorescence measured by flow cytometry were considerably less than expected from reported levels of O2--production or chemiluminescence assays. Compared with neutrophils, monocytes produced minimal increases in DCF fluorescence after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate as measured by flow cytometry, but both cell types showed increases in fluorescence when bulk cell suspensions were measured by spectrofluorometry. To determine the intracellular location of the DCFH, bulk fluorescence measurements were made on both whole and sonicated cell preparations. When intact mononuclear cells were preloaded with DCFH-DA, then sonicated and oxidized with added excess H2O2, the increase in fluorescence was only 30% of the fluorescence of mononuclear cell sonicates to which DCFH-DA was added and oxidized in a similar manner. These results suggest that a portion of the DCFH-DA incorporated by intact cells, is not susceptible to oxidation by the added H2O2. Addition of NaOH to induce hydrolysis of any residual DCFH-DA in the sonicates of DCFH-DA-loaded intact mononuclear cells resulted in a further increase in fluorescence upon addition H2O2, suggesting that a significant portion of the DCFH-DA was not hydrolyzed despite ample uptake of this dye by these cells. In contrast, no further increase in fluorescence was observed in sonicates of DCFH-DA-loaded intact neutrophils, suggesting complete hydrolysis of all incorporated DCFH-DA to DCFH. When monocytes were allowed to phagocytose DCFH-DA-loaded Staphylococcus aureus, intracellular fluorescence was measurable by flow cytometry, indicating intracellular oxidation of the fluorochromes. We therefore propose that in monocytes the mechanism of intracellular processing of these fluorochromes differs from that in neutrophils owing to differences in intracellular localization of fluorochromes, site of oxidant production, and/or accessibility of the DCFH-DA to esterolysis.

Fluorescence indicates a calcium-dependent interaction between the lipopeptide antibiotic LY146032 and phospholipid membranes.

Abstract: LY146032 is one of the A21978C family of calcium-dependent antibiotics. This paper reports on its interactions with membranes as studied by its intrinsic fluorescence. The Trp residue was found to have a low fluorescence yield because of Forster-type energy transfer to the kynurenine residue (Kyn) (epsilon = 5000 at 364 nm). However, the Kyn fluorescence (lambda max = 465 nm in H2O) was a sensitive probe of the membrane interactions, and it was used in steady-state fluorescence measurements including fluorescence polarization anisotropy. Initial binding of the peptide to phospholipid vesicles occurs in calcium-free solutions. When calcium is added, the resulting 10-fold fluorescent enhancement and 15-nm blue shift show that it causes the antibiotic to penetrate further into the lipid bilayer. Calcium is bound with an association constant of 151 M-1, while a phospholipid titration in the presence of calcium gave an association constant of 5 x 10(3) M-1 for egg phosphatidylcholine. Magnesium and cadmium cause very slight fluorescence enhancements, but a more significant effect is caused by the trivalent lanthanide ions. Analysis of these data indicates that the calcium-selective site is on the peptide and that ion binding to the phospholipid headgroups has a secondary role. Comparison with the divalent cation dependent antibiotics bacitracin and amphomycin shows that LY146032 has a quite different activity and that a calcium-dependent membrane interaction could account for results obtained in vivo.

A rapid fluorometric DNA assay for the measurement of cell density and proliferation in vitro

Abstract: Many research efforts require the accurate determination of cell density in vitro. However, physical cell counting is inaccurate, time-intensive and requires removal of the cells from their growth environment, thereby introducing a host of potential artifacts. The current studies document a very simple method of determining cell density in microtiter wells via DNA-enhanced fluorescence. Fixed cells are stained with the A-T intercalating DNA stains DAPI or Hoechst 33342 and then fluorescence is quantified in a plate fluorometer. Fluorescence is shown to be linearly related to cell density as determined by two physical counting methods. The validity of the method is established in determining serum-stimulated growth of smooth muscle cells and in mitogen-induced growth of endothelial cells. The fixed cells can be stored for prolonged periods, thus allowing time-course proliferation assays without interassay variations. The fixed cells are also suitable for determinations of antigens of interest by ELISA. This method is potentially valuable in many in vitro systems where the quantification of cell density and proliferation is necessary.

Characterisation of Three Components of Non-photochemical Fluorescence Quenching and Their Response to Photoinhibition

Abstract: Three components of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching were distinguished according to their response to irradiance and to their relaxation kinetics upon darkening. Two components of quenching were restricted to excessive irradiance and were interpreted to reflect radiationless dissipation. One relaxed rapidly upon darkening, and increased sharply when irradiance became excessive, i.e. as soon as net CO2 assimilation rate was no longer linearly related to irradiance, and attained a maximum value with only small further increases in irradiance. The second component relaxed slowly, increased mark- edly when the rapidly relaxing component had reached its maximum, and continued to increase linearly with increasing irradiance. The third component was already present at low irradiances, relaxed very slowly, and may be related to an altered distribution of excitation energy between PS II and PS I. Following exposure to weak illumination under conditions preventing photosynthetic electron transport (20 mbar O2, zero CO2), the reduction state of Q was initially high and decreased as non- photochemical fluorescence quenching indicative of radiationless dissipation developed. Subsequent to photoinhibitory treatments in high light and 20 mbar O2, zero CO2, an increased reduction state of Q as well as increased non-photochemical quenching of the two types indicative of increased heat dissipation was observed. In sunflower a lasting increase in the reduction state of Q was observed and fluorescence characteristics reflected photoinhibitory damage. In Nerium oleander, increased radiationless dissipation of the slowly relaxing type was the predominant response and the reduction state of Q was increased only transiently.

Membrane water and solute permeability determined quantitatively by self-quenching of an entrapped fluorophore

Abstract: Quantitative determination of rapid water and solute transport and solute reflection coefficients by light-scattering methods is complicated by dependence of vesicle or cell light scattering on nonvolume factors including solution refractive index, cell motion, and membrane aggregation. To overcome these difficulties, a fluorescence technique has been developed to measure accurately (1) osmotic water permeability (Pf), (2) solute permeability (Ps), and (3) solute reflection coefficient (sigma). The time course of vesicle volume is determined by the self-quenching of entrapped fluorescein sulfonate (FS), the best of a series of dyes screened for self-quenching, brightness, and vesicle loading/trapping. To validate the method, rabbit renal brush border vesicles (BBV) were loaded with 1-10 mM FS for 12 h at 4 degrees C and washed to remove extravesicular FS. FS leakage occurred over greater than 6 h at 4 degrees C and greater than 30 min at 23 degrees C. FS fluorescence vs vesicle volume was calibrated from the time course of fluorescence decrease (excitation 470 nm, emission greater than 515 nm) in response to a series of inward osmotic gradients in a stopped-flow apparatus. At 23 degrees C Pf was 0.005 +/- 0.001 cm/s, independent of osmotic gradient size, and inhibited 67% by 0.5 mM HgCl2. Urea Ps was 2 x 10(-6) cm/s with sigma 0.95-1.00 on the basis of the fluorescence time course analysis and the extravesicular [urea] required to obtain zero initial volume flow (null method) when vesicles were loaded with sucrose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The nature of the chromophore responsible for naturally occurring fluorescence in mouse skin

Abstract: Normal mouse skin has a prominent fluorescence peak at 674 nm. Fluorescence emission and fluorescence excitation spectroscopy, carried out both in vitro and in vivo, led to the conclusion that the chromophore(s) responsible for this naturally occurring fluorescence is/are pheophorbide a and/or pheophytin a, degradation products of chlorophyll a that are derived from the mouse food.