Radiation damage in single crystals of cysteine

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Abstract
The technique of electron spin resonance (e.s.r.) has been used to study the free radicals produced by γ radiolysis of cysteine single crystals at 77°K. By controlled warming or further irradiation with ultra-violet light we have obtained six different spectra, four of which have been shown to arise from one radical, RCH2S·. The differences in these spectra are explained by conformational and environmental differences in the free radical. The conformational changes lead to an interaction of the unpaired electron with a neighbouring sulphydryl group giving rise to uniquely large anisotropies in the spectroscopic splitting factor g. Warming from 77°K causes appreciable increases in radical concentration suggesting that much of the primary radiation damage is non-paramagnetic. Further warming results in a near complete disappearance of all radicals which is consistent with dimerization occurring in the solid state.

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