On the origin of IR spectral changes upon protein folding

The unfolded- and folded-state infrared (IR) spectra of peptides studied to date show a common pattern, i.e., the amide I peak of the unfolded state is typically shifted toward higher frequencies with respect to the folded peak. Here, we study by means of a theoretical–computational method, the Perturbed Matrix Method (PMM), the IR spectra in the amide I region of two β -hairpin peptides. The computed spectra are in good agreement with the experimental ones, thus providing an explanation of the physical origin underlying the differences of the unfolded- and folded-state spectra.