Preferential interactions of guanidinum ions with aromatic groups over aliphatic groups.
Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to characterize the long-range structuring (aggregation) of aqueous solutions of isopropanol (IPA) and pyridine and the effect on structuring of guanidinium chloride (GdmCl). These solutes serve as highly soluble analogs of the nonpolar aliphatic (IPA) and aromatic (pyridine) side chains of proteins. SANS data showed that isopropanol and pyridine both form clusters in water resulting from interaction between nonpolar groups of the solutes, with pyridine aggregation producing longer-range structuring than isopropanol in 3 m solutions. Addition of GdmCl at 3 m concentration considerably reduced pyridine aggregation but had no effect on isopropanol aggregation. MD simulations of these solutions support the conclusion that long-range structuring involves hydrophobic solute interactions and that Gdm(+) interacts with the planar pyridine group to suppress pyridine-pyridine interactions in solution. Hydrophobic interactions involving the aliphatic groups of isopropanol were unaffected by GdmCl, indicating that the planar and weakly hydrated Gdm(+) cation cannot make productive interactions with the highly curved or "lumpy" aliphatic groups of this solute. These observations support the conclusion that the effects of Gdm(+) ions on protein-stabilizing interactions involving aromatic amino acid side chains make significant contributions to the denaturant activity of GdmCl, whereas interactions with the "lumpy" aliphatic side chains are likely to be less important.
Mason
Philip E
PE
Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Dempsey
Christopher E
CE
Neilson
George W
GW
Kline
Steve R
SR
Brady
John W
JW
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000737:chemistry; D024322:Amino Acids, Aromatic / Q000737:chemistry*; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D019791:Guanidine / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D009502:Neutrons; D055550:Protein Stability; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D024322:Amino Acids, Aromatic; D002412:Cations; D011506:Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D019791:Guanidine; D019840:2-Propanol; C023666:pyridine