title: Equilibrium and kinetic study of sodium- and potassium-induced conformational changes of apo-alpha-lactalbumin.
abstract: Equilibrium and kinetics of Na+-and K+-induced conformational changes of apo-alpha-lactalbumin were studied by means of circular dichroism. While apo-alpha-lactalbumin was considerably unfolded in the absence of Na+ or K+ in 20 mM Tris at pH 8.0 and 25 degrees, both the monovalent cations restored the tertiary structure of the protein. Apparent binding constants of Na+ and K+ to the apoprotein were estimated from the equilibria of the Na+- and K+-induced conformational changes. Based on kinetic data of the conformational changes induced by the monovalent cations, binding mechanism of the ions to the apo-protein was examined. Bound alkali-metal ions stabilize the native-like state and an activated state in the unfolding-refolding reaction of the apoprotein.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008433:Mathematics; D008892:Milk; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001059:Apoproteins; C041966:apo-alpha-lactalbumin; D007768:Lactalbumin; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium