Dynamics of Electronically Excited Metal Atoms (Zn and Cd) in Rare Gas Matrices: Simulation of Multiple-band Emission using Molecular Dynamics with Quantum Transitions.

Molecular dynamics with quantum transitions approach is employed to simulate the spectroscopic characteristics of the 1 P1 ↔1 S0 transitions in atomic zinc and cadmium in order to gain insight into the excited state behavior of these atoms isolated in solid rare gases neon, argon, and krypton. The absorption and emission spectra are simulated. Non-radiative processes play a fundamental role in the transfer of population among the three electronic states initially accessed in absorption. Three distinct relaxation pathways were identified. Two of these are related to the dynamical modes described in previous works [McCaffrey and Kerins, J. Chem. Phys. 106, 7885 (1997); Kerins and McCaffrey, J. Chem. Phys. 109, 3131 (1998)] in which the system evolves to form a square planar configuration around the metal atom. The third distinct pathway involves motion on a hexagonal close packed plane. The temperature dependence of complex formation was also determined for the three relaxation pathways.

Luminescence of Atomic Barium in Rare Gas Matrices: A Two-Dimensional Excitation/Emission Spectroscopy Study.

A detailed characterization is made of the distinct sites occupied by atomic barium isolated in the three rare gas hosts Ar, Kr, and Xe in excitation scans extracted from the recorded total 6s6p 1P1 → (6s)21S0 fluorescence. Extensive use has been made of two-dimensional excitation/emission (2D-EE) spectroscopy to achieve a comprehensive characterization for the wide variety of sites present in the Ba/RG matrix systems. The 2D-EE technique has proved to be a very powerful method to probe the effects of strong intersite reabsorption when extensive spectral overlap occurs between emission and resonance 6s6p 1P1 ← (6s)21S0 absorption of barium atoms occupying multiple sites. Two-dimensional excitation/emission scans have also been used in this study to monitor the effects of sample annealing and thereby identify the thermally stable sites of isolation. Sites of the same type occupied by atomic barium in the three host solids are identified in resolved excitation spectra and are associated on the basis of the observed matrix shift versus host polarizability. Following site associations, the photophysical properties of each matrix site were characterized revealing that the Stokes shift was greatest in the blue site, smallest for the violet site, and intermediate for the green site. The emission temperature dependences and excited state lifetimes were recorded, indicating that measured radiative lifetimes of 4-5 ns were in good agreement with the gas phase value of 8.4 ns when corrected for the effective field of the solids. The only exception to this was the blue site in Ba/Xe, where a nonradiative quenching channel exists even at 9.8 K that competes effectively with the nanosecond fluorescence. An unusual, asymmetric 2 + 1 excitation band has been recorded for atomic barium in the three rare gas hosts in addition to the threefold split, Jahn-Teller bands typically observed for P ← S absorptions of matrix-isolated metal atoms. Possible assignments of the sites responsible for these band shapes are made on the basis of recent spectral simulations obtained from molecular dynamics calculations on the Ba/Xe system.

An investigation of the sites occupied by atomic barium in solid xenon-A 2D-EE luminescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics study.

A detailed characterisation of the luminescence recorded for the 6p 1P1-6s 1S0 transition of atomic barium isolated in annealed solid xenon has been undertaken using two-dimensional excitation-emission (2D-EE) spectroscopy. In the excitation spectra extracted from the 2D-EE scans, two dominant thermally stable sites were identified, consisting of a classic, three-fold split Jahn-Teller band, labeled the blue site, and an unusual asymmetric 2 + 1 split band, the violet site. A much weaker band has also been identified, whose emission is strongly overlapped by the violet site. The temperature dependence of the luminescence for these sites was monitored revealing that the blue site has a non-radiative channel competing effectively with the fluorescence even at 9.8 K. By contrast, the fluorescence decay time of the violet site was recorded to be 4.3 ns and independent of temperature up to 24 K. The nature of the dominant thermally stable trapping sites was investigated theoretically with Diatomics-in-Molecule (DIM) molecular dynamics simulations. The DIM model was parameterized with ab initio multi-reference configuration interaction calculations for the lowest energy excited states of the Ba⋅Xe pair. The simulated absorption spectra are compared with the experimental results obtained from site-resolved excitation spectroscopy. The simulations allow us to assign the experimental blue feature spectrum to a tetra-vacancy trapping site in the bulk xenon fcc crystal-a site often observed when trapping other metal atoms in rare gas matrices. By contrast, the violet site is assigned to a specific 5-atom vacancy trapping site located at a grain boundary.

Absorption spectroscopy of heavy alkaline earth metals Ba and Sr in rare gas matrices--CCSD(T) calculations and atomic site occupancies.

Isolation of the heavier alkaline earth metals Ba and Sr in the solid rare gases (RGs) Ar, Kr, and Xe is analysed with absorption spectroscopy and interpreted partly with the assistance of ab initio calculations of the diatomic M ⋅ RG ground state interaction potentials. The y(1)P ← a(1)S resonance transitions in the visible spectral region are used to compare the isolation conditions of these two metal atom systems and calcium. Complex absorption bands were recorded in all three metal atom systems even after extensive sample annealing. Coupled cluster calculations conducted on the ground states of the nine M ⋅ RG diatomics (M = Ca, Sr, and Ba; RG = Ar, Kr, and Xe) at the coupled cluster single, double, and non-iterative triple level of theory revealed long bond lengths (>5 Å) and shallow bound regions (<130 cm(-1)). All of the M ⋅ RG diatomics have bond lengths considerably longer than those of the rare gas dimers, with the consequence that isolation of these metal atoms in a single substitutional site of the solid rare gas is unlikely, with the possible exception of Ca/Xe. The luminescence of metal dimer bands has been recorded for Ba and Sr revealing very different behaviours. Resonance fluorescence with a lifetime of 15 ns is observed for the lowest energy transition of Sr2 while this transition is quenched in Ba2. This behaviour is consistent with the absence of vibrational structure on the dimer absorption band in Ba2 indicating lifetime broadening arising from efficient relaxation to low-lying molecular states. More extensive 2D excitation-emission data recorded for the complex site structures present on the absorption bands of the atomic Ba and Sr systems will be presented in future publications.

Stimulated emission in cryogenic samples doped with free-base tetraazaporphine.

Thin cryogenic samples of inert gas solids doped with free-base tetraazaporphine (H2TAP) were irradiated with a tunable pulsed laser. Under resonant electronic excitation of the guest, specific vibronic transitions of the fluorescence spectra were found to be strongly enhanced with only a moderate increase of the laser power. This enhancement is due to stimulated emission (SE). The characteristics of SE bands are described in the three hosts (Ar, N2, and Ne) explored, as well as their excitation spectra. SE is observed in transitions involving different vibrational modes of the guest, depending on the host and the electronic excitation. The results are discussed in comparison with previous works on other tetrapyrrolic molecules trapped in inert gas matrices. From this comparison the key features required to observe SE are deduced to be: (1) SE can be obtained with various tetrapyrrolic molecules; (2) free-base molecules are preferable to their metallo-counterparts; (3) the results highlight a specific molecular vibrational mode involved in the process; and (4) cryogenic crystal structures are also of importance in the detection of SE.

Hg-Xe exciplex formation in mixed Xe/Ar matrices: molecular dynamics and luminescence study.

Luminescence of Hg((3)P1) atoms trapped in mixed Ar/Xe matrices containing a small amount of Xe is reported. Broad emission bands, strongly red-shifted from absorption are recorded which are assigned to strong complexes formed between the excited mercury Hg* and xenon atoms. Molecular dynamics calculations are performed on simulated Xe/Ar samples doped with Hg to follow the behavior of Hg* in the mixed rare gas matrices leading to exciplex formation. The role of Xe atoms in the first solvation shell (SS1) around Hg was investigated in detail, revealing the formation of two kinds of triatomic exciplexes; namely, Xe-Hg*-Xe and Ar-Hg*-Xe. The first species exists only when two xenon atoms are present in SS1 with specific geometries allowing the formation of a linear or quasi-linear exciplex. In the other geometries, or in the presence of only one Xe in SS1, a linear Ar-Hg*-Xe exciplex is formed. The two kinds of exciplexes have different emission bands, the most red-shifted being that involving two Xe atoms, whose emission is very close to that observed in pure Xe matrices. Simulations give a direct access to the analysis of the experimental absorption, emission, and excitation spectra, together with the dynamics of exciplexes formation.

In situ formation and characterisation of singly ionised atomic europium in rare gas matrices--luminescence spectroscopy and MP2 calculations.

Irradiation of atomic europium isolated in the solid rare gases, with low intensity laser excitation of the y(8)P←a(8)S resonance transition at ca. 465 nm, is found to produce singly charged europium cations (Eu(+)) in large amounts in xenon and in smaller amounts in argon. Confirmation of the formation of matrix-isolated Eu(+) is obtained from characteristic absorption bands in the UV and in the visible spectral regions. The luminescence produced with excitation of the cation bands is presented in greatest detail for Eu/Xe and assigned. Excitation of the 4f(7)((8)S7/2)6p3/2 absorption bands of Eu(+) between 390 and 410 nm produces emission which is quite distinct from that resulting from excitation of the 4f(7)((8)S7/2)6p1/2 absorption (430 to 450 nm) features. The latter consists of narrow, resolved emission bands with Stokes shifts ten times smaller than the former. The observed spectral differences are discussed in relation to the different spatial symmetries of the p3/2 and p1/2 orbitals in these j-j coupled (7/2, 3/2)J and the (7/2, 1/2)J levels. Møller-Plesset calculations are conducted to obtain the molecular parameters of the neutral Eu-RG and cationic Eu(+)-RG diatomics (RG = Ar, Kr, Xe). From the short bond lengths and the strong binding energies obtained for the Eu(+)-RG species, these values suggest the isolation of the ion in small, possibly interstitial sites especially in xenon. In contrast, but consistent with previous work [O. Byrne and J. G. McCaffrey, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 124501 (2011)], the interaction potentials calculated herein for the Eu-RG diatomics suggest that the neutral Eu atom occupies tetra-vacancy (tv) and hexa-vacancy (hv) sites in the solid rare gas hosts. Possible reasons for the facile production of Eu(+) in the solid rare gases are discussed. The mechanism proposed is that atomic europium is also acting as an electron acceptor, providing a temporary trap for the ionised electron in the matrices.

Free base tetraazaporphine isolated in inert gas hosts: matrix influence on its spectroscopic and photochemical properties.

The absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra of free base tetraazaporphine (H2TAP) trapped in Ne, N2, and Ar matrices have been recorded at cryogenic temperatures. Normal Raman spectra of H2TAP were recorded in KBr discs and predicted with density functional theory (DFT) using large basis sets calculations. The vibrational frequencies observed in the Raman Spectrum exhibit reasonable agreement with those deduced from the emission spectra, as well as with frequencies predicted from large basis set DFT computations. The upper state vibrational frequencies, obtained from highly resolved, site selected excitation spectra, are consistently lower than the ground state frequencies. This contrasts with the situation in free base phthalocyanine, where the upper state shows little changes in vibrational frequencies and geometry when compared with the ground state. Investigations of the photochemical properties of H2TAP isolated in the three matrices have been performed using the method of persistent spectral hole-burning (PSHB). This technique has been used to reveal sites corresponding to distinct N-H tautomers which were not evident in the absorption spectra. An analysis of the holes and antiholes produced with PSHB in the Qx (0-0) absorption band made it possible to identify inter-conversion of distinct host sites.

Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy and photochemistry of zinc dihydride and related molecules in low-temperature matrices.

Optical absorption spectra of thin film samples, formed by the codeposition of zinc vapor with D2 and CH4, have been recorded with synchrotron radiation. With sufficiently low metal vapor flux, samples deposited at 4 K were found to consist exclusively of isolated zinc atoms for both solids. The atomic absorption bands in the quantum solids D2 and CH4 were found to exhibit large bandwidths, behavior related to the high lattice frequencies of these low mass solids. The reactivity of atomic zinc was promoted with (1)P state photolysis leading to the first recording of electronic absorption spectra for the molecules ZnD2 and CH3ZnH in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region. (3)P state luminescence of atomic zinc observed in the Zn/CH4 system points to the involvement of the spin triplet state in the relaxation of CH3ZnH system as it evolves into the C3v ground state. This state is not involved in the relaxation of the higher symmetry molecule ZnD2. Time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were conducted to predict the electronic transitions of the inserted molecular species. Comparisons with experimental data indicate the predicted transition energies are approximately 0.5 eV less than the recorded values. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. The molecular photochemistry of ZnD2 and CH3ZnH observed in the VUV was modeled successfully with a simple four-valence electron AH2 Walsh-type diagram.

Luminescence of ion-pair states of halogens in liquid perfluorocarbons.

The I(2)(D'-A') luminescence in liquid C(7)F(16), C(8)F(18), C(9)F(20), and C(12)F(26) has been observed following irradiation with visible (within the I(2) X → B band region) and UV (λ < 300 nm) lasers. The band is shifted by ~2000 cm(-1) to the red relative to the gas phase and is significantly broader (fwhm ≈ 3000 cm(-1) vs 500 cm(-1) in the gas phase). Two-color excitation of other halogens in C(n)F(2n+2) solvents revealed similarly shifted and strongly broadened D'-A' bands of Br(2), IBr, and BrCl. The stability of the ion-pair states of halogens in room temperature liquids opens new experimental opportunities for condensed phase studies and may be of applied interest considering the increasing industrial applications of perfluorocarbons.

Visible luminescence spectroscopy of free-base and zinc phthalocyanines isolated in cryogenic matrices.

The absorption, emission and excitation spectra of ZnPc and H(2)Pc trapped in Ne, N(2), Ar, Kr and Xe matrices have been recorded in the region of the Q states. A comparison of the matrix fluorescence spectra with Raman spectra recorded in KBr pellets reveals very strong similarities. This is entirely consistent with the selection rules and points to the occurrence of only fundamental vibrational transitions in the emission spectra. Based on this behaviour, the vibronic modes in emission have been assigned using results obtained recently on the ground state with large basis-set DFT calculations [Murray et al. PCCP, 12, 10406 (2010)]. Furthermore, the very strong mirror symmetry between excitation and emission has allowed these assignments to be extended to the excitation (absorption) bands. While this approach works well for ZnPc, coupling between the band origin of the S(2)(Q(Y)) state and vibrationally excited levels of S(1)(Q(X)), limits the range of its application in H(2)Pc. The Q(X)/Q(Y) state coupling is analysed from data obtained from site-selective excitation spectra, revealing pronounced matrix and site effects. From this analysis, the splitting of the Q(X) and Q(Y) states has been determined more accurately than in any previous attempts.

Site-selected luminescence of atomic europium in the solid rare gases.

Site-selective excitation has been used to simplify complex emission recorded in the visible spectral region for atomic europium isolated in the solid rare gases. In addition to y(8)P resonance fluorescence, excitation of the y(8)P state produces emission from the z(6)P state and the metastable a(10)D state. Very weak emission at 690 nm is tentatively assigned to the J = 9/2 level of the z(10)P state. Eu atoms isolated in the red and blue sites exhibit very different temperature dependence both spectrally and temporally. For the y(8)P state emission the red site atoms exhibit small Stokes shifts and yield radiative lifetimes while the emission from the blue site loses intensity and the temporal profiles shorten dramatically between 10 and 16 K indicating very efficient non-radiative relaxation in this site. An analysis of the Stokes shifts exhibited for the y(8)P state in each site supports the attributions made in a previous publication [O. Byrne and J.G. McCaffrey, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 124501 (2011)] that the smaller blue tetravacancy site has a greater repulsive interaction with the guest. With the exception of the y(8)P state resonance fluorescence, the recorded decay profiles of all the other emissions exhibit multiple components. This behaviour has been attributed to the existence of multiple crystal field levels arising from the splitting of the distinct spin-orbit levels from which emission occurs.

Eu/RG absorption and excitation spectroscopy in the solid rare gases: state dependence of crystal field splitting and Jahn-Teller coupling.

Absorption spectroscopy recorded for annealed samples of matrix-isolated atomic europium reveals a pair of thermally stable sites in Ar and Kr while a single site exists in Xe. Plots of the matrix shifts of the visible s → p bands versus host polarizability, allowed the association of the single site in Xe and the blue sites in Ar and Kr. On the basis of the similar ground state bond lengths expected for the Eu-rare gas (RG) diatomics and the known Na-RG molecules, the blue sites are attributed to Eu occupancy in the smaller tetra-vacancy while the red sites are proposed to arise from hexa-vacancy sites. Both sites are of cubic symmetry, consistent with the pronounced Jahn-Teller structure present on the y(8)P ← a(8)S(7/2) transition for these bands in the three hosts studied. Site-selective excitation spectroscopy has been used to reanalyze complex absorption spectra previously published by Jakob et al. [Phys. Lett. A 57, 67 (1976)] for the near-UV f → d transitions. On the basis that a pair of thermally stable sites exist in solid argon, the occurrence of crystal field splitting has been identified to occur for the J ≥ 5/2 level of the (8)P state when isolated in these two sites with cubic symmetry. From a detailed lineshape analysis, the magnitude of the crystal field splittings on the J = 5/2 level in Ar is found to be 105 and 123 cm(-1) for the red and blue sites, respectively.

Expression and structural characterization of peripherin/RDS, a membrane protein implicated in photoreceptor outer segment morphology.

Peripherin/RDS is a member of the tetraspanin family of integral membrane proteins and plays a major role in the morphology of photoreceptor outer segments. Peripherin/RDS has a long extracellular loop (hereafter referred to as the LEL domain), which is vital for its function. Point mutations in the LEL domain often lead to impaired photoreceptor formation and function, making peripherin/RDS an important drug target. Being a eukaryotic membrane protein, acquiring sufficient peripherin/RDS for biophysical characterisation represents a significant challenge. Here, we describe the expression and characterisation of peripherin/RDS in Drosophila melangolaster Schneider (S2) insect cells and in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The wild-type peripherin/RDS and the retinitis pigmentosa causing P216L mutant from S2 cells are characterised using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The structure of peripherin/RDS and of a pathogenic mutant is assessed spectroscopically for the first time. These findings are evaluated in relation to a three-dimensional model of the functionally important LEL domain obtained by protein threading.

Infra-red and Raman spectroscopy of free-base and zinc phthalocyanines isolated in matrices.

The infrared absorption spectra of matrix-isolated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and free-base phthalocyanine (H(2)Pc) have been recorded in the region from 400 to 4000 cm(-1) in solid N(2), Ar, Kr and Xe. Raman spectra have been recorded in doped KBr pellets. The isotopomers HDPc and D(2)Pc have been synthesised in an attempt to resolve the conflicting assignments that currently exist in the literature for the N-H bending modes in H(2)Pc spectra. A complete correlation between the vibrational modes of the three free-base isotopomers and ZnPc has been achieved. Comparison of the IR and Raman spectroscopic results, obtained with isotopic substitution and with predictions from large basis set ab initio calculations, allows identification of the in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OP) N-H bending modes. The largest IP isotope shift is observed in the IR at 1046 cm(-1) and at 1026 cm(-1) in Raman spectra while the largest effect in the OP bending modes is at 764 cm(-1). OP bending modes are too weak to be observed in the experimental Raman data. The antisymmetric N-H stretching mode is observed at approximately 3310 cm(-1) in low temperature solids slightly blue shifted from, but entirely consistent with the literature KBr data. With the exception of the N-H stretches, the recorded H/D isotope shifts in all the N-H vibrations are complex, with the IP bending modes exhibiting small nu(H)/nu(D) ratios (the largest value is 1.089) while one of the observed OP modes has a ratio < 1. DFT results reveal that the small ratios arise in particular from strong coupling of the N-H IP bending modes with IP stretching modes of C-N bonds. The unexpected finding of a nu(H)/nu(D) ratio smaller than one was analysed theoretically by examining the evolution of the frequencies of the free base by increasing the mass from H to D in a continuous manner. A consequence of this frequency increase in the heavier isotopomer is that the direction of the N-D OP bend is reversed from the N-H OP bend.

Investigations of the optical spectroscopy of atomic sodium isolated in solid argon and krypton: experiments and simulations.

The absorption spectra of thin film samples, formed by the codeposition of sodium vapor with the rare gases have long been known to consist of complex structures in the region of the atomic sodium "yellow-doublet" lines. The photophysical characteristics of the associated luminescence (excitation/emission) spectra, indicate strong interaction between the excited P state Na atom and the rare gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) used as host solids. This system is reinvestigated with new experimental spectroscopic results and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. The so-called "violet" site in Ar and Kr has been produced by laser excitation of thermally deposited samples. The simulation of the "spray-on" deposition of thin films enables identification of tetravacancy (tv) sites of isolation for ground-state atomic sodium in Ar while in Kr this site is found in addition to single vacancy (sv) occupancy. Various cubic symmetry sites were taken into account to simulate absorption and emission spectra using accurate interaction potentials for the Na.RG diatomics. The well-known 3-fold splitting in absorption, attributed to the Jahn-Teller effect, was very well reproduced but the simulated spectra for all the sites considered are located in the low energy region of the experimental bands. The evolution of the excited state Na atom is followed revealing the nature and symmetry of the sites that are transiently occupied. Consistent with the large Stokes shift observed experimentally, there is an extensive rearrangement of the lattice in the excited state with respect to the ground state. Combining all the experimental and theoretical information, an assignment of experimental violet, blue, and red absorption features is established involving single vacancy, tetravacancy, and hexavacancy sites, respectively, in Ar and Kr.

Luminescence spectroscopy of matrix-isolated atomic manganese: site size and orbital occupancy dependence of crystal field splitting.

Narrow linewidth emission features observed in the near-UV following y (6)P state excitation of atomic manganese isolated in the solid rare gases are assigned to b (4)D and a (4)P states. These states arise from the 3d(5)4s(2) electronic configuration, identical to that of the (6)S ground state, and the origin of the narrow linewidths. Two thermally stable sites, labeled blue and red on the basis of their position in absorption spectra, are occupied by atomic Mn in Ar and Kr while a single site is present in Xe. The red site produces a single, narrow line emission for the b (4)D state at 329 nm. In contrast, a lineshape analysis of the complex blue site b (4)D state emission between 331 and 332 nm reveals the occurrence of three zero phonon lines (ZPLs). Millisecond emission decay curves recorded for these features are found to be complex, requiring double and triple exponential fit functions. The origins of the complex decays and multiple ZPLs are shown to arise from weak crystal field splitting (CFS) of the J=7/2 spin-orbit level of the b (4)D state of atomic Mn isolated in the blue site of the solid rare gases. Fields of cubic symmetry are capable of inducing splitting for J>3/2 so atoms isolated in both single vacancy and tetravacancy sites in the fcc lattices of the solid rare gases are prone to this effect. b (4)D state emission is also produced following y (6)P excitation for Mn atoms occupying the red sites in Ar and Kr. However, Mn atoms isolated in the larger tetravacancy sites have small matrix shifts and do not exhibit any CFS. The magnitudes of the weak CF splittings are shown to depend on both the excited state electronic configurations 3d(5)4s(2) b (4)D and 3d(6)4s(1) a (4)D states and the size of the matrix site occupied by atomic Mn.

Amplified emission of phthalocyanine isolated in cryogenic matrices.

Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of free-base (H(2)Pc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines trapped in rare gas and nitrogen matrices reveals a quite unexpected phenomenon with a moderate increase in the laser intensity. In all matrices except Xe, a huge increase occurs in the intensity of an emission band near 755 nm when pumping the S(1) <-- S(0) transition. The band involves a vibrational mode of the ground state, located at 1550 and 1525 cm(-1) for H(2)Pc and ZnPc, respectively. Many of the characteristics of amplified emission (AE) are exhibited by this vibronic transition. Excitation scans recorded for the AE band yield greatly enhanced site selectivity compared to what is obtained in normal fluorescence excitation scans.

Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the endosomal recycling compartment.

Rab11-FIP3 is an endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) protein that is implicated in the process of membrane delivery from the ERC to sites of membrane insertion during cell division. Here we report that Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the ERC during interphase. We demonstrate that knockdown of Rab11-FIP3 and expression of a mutant of Rab11-FIP3 that is Rab11-binding deficient cause loss of all ERC-marker protein staining from the pericentrosomal region of A431 cells. Furthermore, we find that fluorophore-labelled transferrin cannot access the pericentrosomal region of cells in which Rab11-FIP3 function has been perturbed. We find that this Rab11-FIP3 function appears to be specific because expression of the equivalent Rab11-binding deficient mutant of Rab-coupling protein does not perturb ERC morphology. In addition, we find that other organelles such as sorting and late endosomes are unaffected by loss of Rab11-FIP3 function. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of an extensive coiled-coil region between residues 463 and 692 of Rab11-FIP3, which exists as a dimer in solution and is critical to support its function on the ERC. Together, these data indicate that Rab11-FIP3 is necessary for the structural integrity of the pericentrosomal ERC.

The absorption and excitation spectroscopy of matrix-isolated atomic manganese: sites of isolation in the solid rare gases.

This study collects information from absorption and luminescence excitation spectra recorded for Mn atoms isolated in the solid rare gases Ar, Kr, and Xe and presents an analysis of the site occupancy, based on the polarizabilities of the rare gases and the observed spectral shifts. Two thermally stable sites of isolation exist for atomic Mn in solid Ar and Kr, while a single thermally stable site is present in Mn/Xe. Site occupancy assignments are based on the application of a polarizability model to the z (6)P(5/2)<--a (6)S(5/2); z (8)P(5/2)<--a (6)S(5/2), and y (6)P(5/2)<--a (6)S(5/2) electronic transitions of atomic Mn. From an analysis of the observed RG matrix-to-gas phase energy shifts for P<--S type transitions, this model allows the association of certain site types occupied by metal atoms in the rare gas solids. The required condition being a linear dependence of the matrix shifts with rare gas polarizability for those metal atoms "trapped" in a particular site type. Application of the polarizability model in conjunction with trends observed in site dominance, established a connection between the blue sites in Ar and Kr and the single site in Xe. Use of the known MgRG ground state bond lengths facilitated an identification of the sites of Mn atom isolation assuming the transference of the known MgRG bond lengths to the MnRG systems. Substitutional site occupancy of atomic Mn is assigned to the blue sites in Ar and Kr and the single site in Xe, while tetra-vacancy site occupancy is assigned to the red sites in Ar and Kr. Consistent with these assignments, Mn atoms in solid Ar show a preference for trapping in tetra-vacancy sites whereas in solid Kr, single substitutional sites are preferred and in Xe, this is the only site observed.