title: Theoretical aspects of pressure and solute denaturation of proteins: A Kirkwood-buff-theory approach.
abstract: A new approach to the problem of pressure-denaturation (PD) and solute-denaturation (SD) of proteins is presented. The problem is formulated in terms of Le Chatelier principle, and a solution is sought in terms of the Kirkwood-Buff theory of solutions. It is found that both problems have one factor in common; the excluded volumes of the folded and the unfolded forms with respect to the solvent molecules. It is shown that solvent-induced effects operating on hydrophilic groups along the protein are probably the main reason for PD. On the other hand, the SD depends on the preferential solvation of the folded and the unfolded forms with respect to solvent and co-solvent molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel. arieh@fh.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Arieh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben-Naim
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011312:Pressure; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water