What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine how solvent viscosity influences conformational fluctuations and the migration of small ligands within heme proteins.

November 1, 1980Biochemistry

Solvent viscosity and protein dynamics

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

DBD. BeeceNortheastern University LEL. EisensteinNortheastern University HFHans FrauenfelderUniversity of Vermont

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Experimental analysis demonstrates solvent viscosity governs ligand binding rates in myoglobin and protoheme, indicating protein reactions are controlled by dynamic conformational gates.

Key Points

To determine how solvent viscosity influences conformational fluctuations and the migration of small ligands within heme proteins.
Measured carbon monoxide binding to protoheme and oxygen and carbon monoxide binding to myoglobin across multiple solvent systems using flash photolysis.
Evaluated transition rates over reaction barriers as a function of temperature across fixed solvent viscosities.
Heme-carbon monoxide transition rates were inversely proportional to solvent viscosity across a broad range, following Kramers equation behavior.
Ligand binding rates in myoglobin were modulated by solvent viscosity across all systems, showing the highest sensitivity at low viscosity and remaining observable in aqueous solutions.
Observed dynamics confirmed a model wherein ligand migration is governed by fluctuating conformational substates acting as gates rather than static barriers.

Cite This Study

Beece et al. (1980) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1bccf026cb5670aa9cea20 https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00564a001

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Experimental analysis demonstrates solvent viscosity governs ligand binding rates in myoglobin and protoheme, indicating protein reactions are controlled by dynamic conformational gates.

Solvent viscosity and protein dynamics

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Solvent viscosity and protein dynamics

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider