Residual native structure in a thermally denatured β-hairpin

We investigate the thermal denaturation of trpzip2 between 15 and 82 degrees C using two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) vibrational spectroscopy, dispersed vibrational echo (DVE) spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR and DVE spectra of trpzip2 show in the amide I region of the spectrum two resonances, which arise primarily from the interstrand coupling between local amide I oscillators along the peptide backbone. The coupling is seen directly in the 2D IR spectra as the formation of cross-peak ridges. Although small shifts of these frequencies occur on heating the sample, the existence of cross-peak ridges at all temperatures indicates that stable hydrogen bond interactions persist between the two beta-strands. These observations indicate a significant amount of native structure in the thermally denatured state of trpzip2.