ASPECTS OF RADIATION-CHEMISTRY OF PROTEIN MOLECULES - A REVIEW

Data on the radiolysis of proteins (in the form of aqueous solutions i n liquid or frozen states, and dry preparations) is surveyed, and the potential role of free radicals in chain scission, crosslinking, and m odification of amino acid residues in the macromolecules is considered . The reaction schemes for principal transformation pathways of protei n free radicals account for the ultimate molecular products of the rad iolysis. Effects of supermolecular ordering of protein molecules and s tructured water on the radiolysis of a protein-water system and proble ms of radioprotection of proteins at the stage of formation and decay of primary macroradicals are discussed.