Site-specific analysis of protein hydration based on unnatural amino acid fluorescence

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Apr 22;137(15):4988-92. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b01681. Epub 2015 Apr 9.

Abstract

Hydration of proteins profoundly affects their functions. We describe a simple and general method for site-specific analysis of protein hydration based on the in vivo incorporation of fluorescent unnatural amino acids and their analysis by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Using this method, we investigate the hydration of functionally important regions of dehalogenases. The experimental results are compared to findings from molecular dynamics simulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Fluorescence*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Water / analysis*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Proteins
  • Water