Temperature-dependent dynamics of dry and hydrated β-casein studied by quasielastic neutron scattering

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Sep 18;118(37):10821-9. doi: 10.1021/jp504548w. Epub 2014 Sep 5.

Abstract

β-Casein is a component of casein micelle with amphillic nature and is recognized as a "natively disordered" protein that lacks secondary structures. In this study, the temperature and hydration effects on the dynamics of β-casein are explored by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). An upturn in the mean square displacement (MSD) of hydrated β-casein indicates an increase of protein flexibility at a temperature of ~225 K. Another increase in MSD at ~100 K, observed in both dry and hydrated β-casein, is ascribed to the methyl group rotations, which are not sensitive to hydration. QENS analysis in the energy domain reveals that the fraction of hydrogen atoms participating in motion in a sphere of diffusion is highly hydration dependent and increases with temperature. In the time domain analysis, a logarithmic-like decay is observed in the range of picosecond to nanosecond (β-relaxation time) in the dynamics of hydrated β-casein. This dynamical behavior has been observed in hydrated globular and oligomeric proteins. Our temperature-dependent QENS experiments provide evidence that lack of a secondary structure in β-casein results in higher flexibility in its dynamics and easier reversible thermal unfolding compared to other rigid biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Caseins / chemistry*
  • Deuterium Oxide / chemistry
  • Diffusion
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Neutron Diffraction*
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Caseins
  • Water
  • Hydrogen
  • Deuterium Oxide