Denaturation protein folding intermediates

Measuring Protein Sta.bihty, Protein stabihty is usually measured quantitatively as the difference in free energy between the folded and unfolded states of the protein. These states are most commonly measured using spectroscopic techniques, such as circular dichroic spectroscopy, fluorescence (generally tryptophan fluorescence) spectroscopy, nmr spectroscopy, and absorbance spectroscopy (10). For most monomeric proteins, the two-state model of protein folding can be invoked. This model states that under equihbrium conditions, the vast majority of the protein molecules in a solution exist in either the folded (native) or unfolded (denatured) state. Any kinetic intermediates that might exist on the pathway between folded and unfolded states do not accumulate to any significant extent under equihbrium conditions (39). In other words, under any set of solution conditions, at equihbrium the entire population of protein molecules can be accounted for by the mole fraction of denatured protein, and the mole fraction of native protein,, ie. 

The steps leading to the formation of the intrinsic chro-mophore have recently been investigated kinetically with S65T-GFP. The process of chromophore formation is an ordered sequence of three distinct steps (1) slow protein folding (kf = 2.44 X 10 s ) that precedes chromophore modification (2) an intermediate step occurs that includes, but may not be necessarily limited to, cycli-zation of the tripeptide chromophore motif (kc = 3.8 X 10 s ) and (3) rate-limiting oxidation of the cyclized chromophore (kox = 1 51 X s ). Reid and Flynn also reasoned that because chromophore forms de novo from purified denatured protein and is a first-order process, GFP chromophore formation is likely to be an autocatalytic process. 

A puzzling problem was posed by Levinthal many years ago.329 We usually assume that the peptide chain folds into one of the most stable conformations possible. However, proteins fold very rapidly. Even today, no computer would be able, in our lifetime, to find by systematic examination the thermodynamically most stable conformation.328 It would likewise be impossible for a folding protein to "try out" more than a tiny fraction of all possible conformations. Yet folded and unfolded proteins often appear to be in a thermodynamic equilibrium Experimental results indicate that denatured proteins are frequently in equilibrium with a compact denatured state or "molten globule" in which hydrophobic groups have become clustered and some secondary structures exists.330-336 From this state the polypeptide may rearrange more slowly through other folding intermediates to the final "native conformation."3363 3361 ... 

Suppose that we make a mutation Ala — Gly in the solvent-exposed face of a helix in a protein that destabilizes it by 1 kcal/mol (4 kJ/mol) relative to the denatured state (Figure 18.9). Suppose that we then measure the kinetics of folding and unfolding of the protein and find that the transition states for folding and for a folding intermediate are also destabilized by 1 kcal/mol (4 kJ/mol) relative to the denatured state. Then it seems likely that the helix is fully formed at the site of mutation in those two states, because it responds to a destabilizing mutation... 

Several studies since then have supported this suggestion, and now it is widely accepted that conformational change/structural perturbation is a prerequisite for amyloid formation. Structural perturbation involves destabilization of the native state, thus forming nonnative states or partially unfolded intermediates (kinetic or thermodynamic intermediates), which are prone to aggregation. Mild to harsh conditions such as low pH, exposure to elevated temperatures, exposure to hydrophobic surfaces and partial denaturation using urea and guanidinium chloride are used to achieve nonnative states. Stabilizers of intermediate states such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are also used for amyloidogenesis. However, natively unfolded proteins, such as a-synuclein, tau protein and yeast prion, require some structural stabilization for the formation of partially folded intermediates that are competent for fibril formation. Conditions for partial structural consolidation include low pH, presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), temperature or chemical chaperones. 

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