Protein Structures: Thermodynamic Aspects (1) PROTEIN PHYSICS LECTURE 17 Protein Structures: Thermodynamic Aspects (1) Protein denaturation: reversible, cooperative and, moreover, “all-or-none” (1-st order) phase transition. Solid native state, unfolded coil & “molten globule”.
Solid structures However, solid structures can denaturate (decay) both in vivo (e.g., when protein is transported through membrane) and in vitro
Protein denaturation: cooperative transition
Denaturation: “all-or-none” transition in small (one-domain) proteins
Denaturation: “all-or-none” transition in small (one-domain) proteins (Privalov, 1969)
Solid native state, unfolded coil, “more compact molten state” and cooperative transitions between them ? (Tanford, 1968)
Secondary structure Side chain packing un- folded native
“All-or-none” decay of native protein structure: Ensures reliability and robustness of protein functioning