Electronic-conformational Interactions in Biopolymers M1v. Volkenstein

Specific features of biopolymers which determine their functionality, in particular the catalytic activity of enzymes, are discussed. Electronicconformational interactions (Ed) are responsible for the most important properties of biopolymers. A survey of theoretical work is given, devoted to ECI, electron and atom transfer in enzymatic reactions. The qualitative methods of quantum chemistry are described, allowing to establish the advantageous conformations of molecular complexes corresponding to their electronic states. The conformations and the ways of their transformations are treated using limiting molecular orbitals. The results of experimental investigations of ECI in hemoproteins are presented, using methods based on the Faraday effect (dispersion of magnetic rotation and magnetic circular dichroism), and on the electronic paramagnetic resonance of the spin-labeled proteins.