Ca2+ release from caged-Ca2+ alters the FTIR spectrum of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Light-induced Ca2+ release from the Ca2+ complex of Nitr-5 altered the FTIR spectra of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and purified Ca(2+)-ATPase preparations. The principal changes seen in difference spectra obtained after and before illumination in the presence of Nitr-5.Ca2+ consisted of an increase in absorbance at 1663 and 1676 cm-1 and a decrease in absorbance at 1653 cm-1. The light-induced changes in FTIR spectra were prevented by vanadate or EGTA, indicating that they were associated with the formation of Ca2E1 enzyme intermediate. Other light-induced changes in the FTIR spectra at 1600-1250 cm-1 were not clearly related to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and were attributed to photolysis of Nitr-5. The difference absorbance bands are narrow, suggesting that they originate from changes in side chain vibrations, although some changes in secondary structures may also contribute.