Protein unfolding absorbance spectroscop

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. 

Indirect determination of the enthalpy of unfolding assumes the knowledge of the equilibrium as a function of temperature. Starting from spectroscopic data spectroscopic signal for 100% denaturated (random coil) sample and 100% native protein was determined. The temperature range where protein transitions from native to denatured form was covered. Fraction of native protein as a function of temperature and the fraction of unfolded protein as a function of temperature /n and fo respectively, were defined in terms of measured absorbance A(T) as ... 

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