Single-molecule measurement of protein folding kinetics.
In order to investigate the behavior of single molecules under conditions far from equilibrium, we have coupled a microfabricated laminar-flow mixer to a confocal optical system. This combination enables time-resolved measurement of Förster resonance energy transfer after an abrupt change in solution conditions. Observations of a small protein show the evolution of the intramolecular distance distribution as folding progresses. This technique can expose subpopulations, such as unfolded protein under conditions favoring the native structure, that would be obscured in equilibrium experiments.
Lipman
Everett A
EA
Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Building 5, Room 104, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0520, USA.
Schuler
Benjamin
B
Bakajin
Olgica
O
Eaton
William A
WA
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004058:Diffusion; D004735:Energy Transfer; D005453:Fluorescence; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D007700:Kinetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D013816:Thermodynamics; D020124:Thermotoga maritima / Q000737:chemistry*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins