Lanthanide ion probes of structure in biology. Environmentally sensitive fine structure in laser-induced terbium(III) luminescence.

The 488 nm line of the CW argon ion laser provides a convenient visible source for the direct excitation of the emissive 5D4 state of the Tb(III) ion. Room temperature emission spectra of Tb(III) in a variety of environments have been examined under relatively high resolution. The samples studied include structurally well-characterized crystalline solids, model chelate complexes in solution and Tb(III) bound to the enzyme thermolysin and the protein parvalbumin. The fine structure in the emissions is caused by ligand field splittings of both ground and excited state J manifolds. These spectra provide signatures sensitive to the immediate coordination environment of the Tb(III) ion. Solid state/solution state structural comparisons are made. The emission fine structure reveal differences between the EF side calcium-binding sites of parvalbumin and the calcium site 1 of thermolysin.