FT-IR analysis of phosphorylation and laser-dephosphorylation process

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, which are the most remarkable posttranslational modifications, are considered to be important chemical reactions that control the activation of proteins. In regenerative medicine, it has been reported that phosphorylated proteins are instrumental in the calcification of osteoconnective tissue. We examine the phosphorylation analysis method by measuring the infrared absorption peak of phosphate group that observed at about 1070 cm^-1 (9.4 μm) with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR). This result indicates that it is possible to identify a phosphorylation by measuring the infrared absorption peak of phosphate group observed at about 1070 cm^-1 with FT-IR method. And we examine laser-dephosphorylation using Free Electron Laser (FEL) as a novel dephosphorylation method. After irradiation of 9.4μm-FEL, infrared absorption peak of phosphate group is reduced. It is suspected that this lowering of the peak of phosphate group is the effect like dephosphorylation. These novel methods can be applied to quality control technology in regenerative medicine.