A protein folds spontaneously in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Guanidinium chloride is gradually titrated into the PBS-buffered protein solution, causing the protein to denature. During the titration, the ΔG° of protein folding is:A.initially negative and becomes positive.B.initially positive and becomes negative.C.initially negative and becomes more negative.D.initially positive and becomes more positive.
Question
A protein folds spontaneously in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Guanidinium chloride is gradually titrated into the PBS-buffered protein solution, causing the protein to denature. During the titration, the ΔG° of protein folding is:A.initially negative and becomes positive.B.initially positive and becomes negative.C.initially negative and becomes more negative.D.initially positive and becomes more positive.
Solution
The answer is A. initially negative and becomes positive.
Here's why:
-
In its native state, a protein is in its lowest energy state, which means it is thermodynamically stable. This is why proteins fold spontaneously in solution - the process is energetically favorable, and thus the ΔG° (change in Gibbs free energy) of protein folding is negative.
-
Guanidinium chloride is a denaturant, which means it disrupts the forces that stabilize the protein's structure (like hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, etc.). This causes the protein to unfold, or denature.
-
As guanidinium chloride is gradually added to the solution, it increases the energy state of the protein, making it less stable and more likely to denature. This means the process of folding (going from the denatured state to the folded state) becomes less favorable.
-
Therefore, the ΔG° of protein folding increases (becomes less negative) as more denaturant is added. Eventually, it can become positive, meaning the protein is more stable in the denatured state than in the folded state.
Similar Questions
What is meant by denaturation of a protein?
The given diagram illustrates the change in the structure of a protein molecule due to increase intemperature.a. Name the process of changing a folded protein molecule into an unfolded protein molecule.(1 Mark)___________________________________________________________________________________b. Write ONE chemical change that causes the unfolding of the protein molecule. (1 Mark)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________c. What is the effect of unfolding on the function of the protein molecule? (1 Mark)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
During protein folding, which of the following interactions stabilize secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structures?Hydrogen bondsIonic bondsvan der Waals forcesPeptide bondsA.I and II onlyB.III and IV onlyC.I, II, and III onlyD.I, III, and IV only
The structural state wherein a globular protein is partially extended is characterized as:A.unfolded.B.premolten globule.C.denatured.D.natively folded.
What is protein denaturation? Group of answer choicesprocess of folding two or more polypeptide chains into 3D arrangment.process of altering the shape of protein by breaking the amide bonds.process of altering the shape of protein without breaking the amide bonds.process of sequencing amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.