Fluorescence of some proteins, nucleic acids and related compounds

1. 1. A simple method for the measurement of fluorescence efficiencies for compounds in solution has been described. 2. 2. Fluorescence efficiencies for some amino acids, nucleotides, and their derivatives have been reported. The nucleotides and nucleic acids exhibit little or no fluorescence in contrast to the proteins and aromatic amino acids, especially tryptophan, which fluoresce in the ultraviolet. 3. 3. The fluorescence of the proteins is related to their content of aromatic amino acids. 4. 4. The fluorescence efficiencies of the aromatic amino acids and proteins are dependent upon pH. In the case of tryptophan, at least, oxygen has no effect upon the fluorescence efficiency.