Dissipative dynamics of enzymes

Phys Rev Lett. 2014 Nov 7;113(19):198101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.198101. Epub 2014 Nov 4.

Abstract

We explore enzyme conformational dynamics at sub-Å resolution, specifically, temperature effects. The ensemble-averaged mechanical response of the folded enzyme is viscoelastic in the whole temperature range between the warm and cold denaturation transitions. The dissipation parameter γ of the viscoelastic description decreases by a factor of 2 as the temperature is raised from 10 to 45 °C; the elastic parameter K shows a similar decrease. Thus, when probed dynamically, the enzyme softens for increasing temperature. Equilibrium mechanical experiments with the DNA spring (and a different enzyme) also show, qualitatively, a small softening for increasing temperature.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Enzymes / chemistry*
  • Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Luciferases, Renilla / chemistry
  • Luciferases, Renilla / metabolism
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Renilla / enzymology
  • Rheology / instrumentation
  • Rheology / methods

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • DNA
  • Luciferases, Renilla