title: Characterization of pH-induced transitions of beta-lactoglobulin: ultrasonic, densimetric, and spectroscopic studies.
abstract: Depending on solution conditions, beta-lactoglobulin can exist in one of its six pH-dependent structural states. We have characterized the acid and basic-induced conformational transitions between these structural states over the pH range of pH 1 to pH 13. To this end, we have employed high-precision ultrasonic and densimetric measurements coupled with fluorescence and CD spectroscopic data. Our combined spectroscopic and volumetric results have revealed five pH-induced transitions of beta-lactoglobulin between pH 1 and pH 13. The first transition starts at pH 2 and is not completed even at pH 1, our lowest experimental pH. This transition is followed by the dimer-to-monomer transition of beta-lactoglobulin between pH 2.5 and pH 4. The dimer-to-monomer transition is accompanied by decreases in volume, v degrees (-0.008(+/-0.003) cm3 x g(-1)), and adiabatic compressibility, k degrees (S) (-(0.7(+/-0.4))x10(-6) cm3 x g(-1) x bar(-1)). We interpret the observed changes in volume and compressibility associated with the dimer-to-monomer transition of beta-lactoglobulin, in conjunction with X-ray crystallographic data, as suggesting a 7 % increase in protein hydration, with the hydration changes being localized in the area of contact between the two monomeric subunits. The so-called N-to-Q transition of beta-lactoglobulin occurs between pH 4.5 and pH 6 and is accompanied by increases in volume, v degrees (0.004(+/-0.003) cm3 x g(-1)), and compressibility, k degrees (S) ((0.7(+/-0.4))x10(-6) cm3 x g(-1) x bar(-1)). The Tanford transition of beta-lactoglobulin is centered at pH 7.5 and is accompanied by a decrease in volume, v degrees (-0.006(+/-0.003) cm3 x g(-1)), and an increase in compressibility, k degrees (S) ((1.5(+/-0.5))x10(-6) cm3 x g(-1) x bar(-1)). Based on these volumetric results, we propose that the Tanford transition is accompanied by a 5 to 10 % increase in the protein hydration and a loosening of the interior packing of beta-lactoglobulin as reflected in a 12 % increase in its intrinsic compressibility. Finally, above pH 9, the protein undergoes irreversible base-induced unfolding which is accompanied by decreases in v degrees (-0.014(+/-0.003) cm3 x g(-1)) and k degrees (S) (-(7.0(+/-0.5))x10(-6) cm3 x g(-1) x bar(-1)). Combining these results with our CD spectroscopic data, we propose that, in the base-induced unfolded state of beta-lactoglobulin, only 80 % of the surface area of the fully unfolded conformation is exposed to the solvent. Thus, in so far as solvent exposure is concerned, the base-induced unfolded states of beta-lactoglobulin retains some order, with 20 % of its amino acid residues remaining solvent inaccessible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S2, Canada.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taulier
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Chalikian
mesh_terms: D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D001665:Binding Sites; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019281:Dimerization; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012997:Solvents; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007782:Lactoglobulins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water