Engineering protein stability.
This article defines protein stability, emphasizes its importance and surveys some notable recent publications (2004-2008) in the field of protein stability/stabilization. Knowledge of the factors stabilizing proteins has emerged from denaturation studies and from study of thermophilic (and other extremophilic) proteins. One can enhance stability by protein engineering strategies, the judicious use of solutes and additives, immobilization, and chemical modification in solution. General protocols are set out on how to measure the kinetic thermal stability of a given protein and how to undertake chemical modification of a protein in solution.
O'Fágáin
Ciarán
C
School of Biotechnology and National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. ciaran.fagan@dcu.ie
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D006801:Humans; D055767:Immobilized Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D055767:Immobilized Proteins; D011506:Proteins