Influence of protein dynamics on the metal-sites of ovotransferrin

Eur Biophys J. 1992;21(2):147-54. doi: 10.1007/BF00185429.

Abstract

Using the perturbed angular correlations (PAC) technique, the formation of hafnium-ovotransferrin complexes has been studied. Two binding configurations at each of the two specific binding-sites of the protein have been observed. They are characterized by well-defined electric quadrupole frequencies. Information about the dynamics of the protein was derived from temperature dependent measurements of the relaxation constant. The well-resolved spectra taken with fast BaF2-detectors allow a precise determination of the relaxation behaviour of the protein. The results are compared with the predictions from a hydrodynamic model for the reorientation of macromolecules. Thus the hydrodynamic volume of ovotransferrin and its N-terminal half-molecule were determined. The ovotransferrin volume is in agreement with a value derived for human serum transferrin from small angle neutron scattering. From experiments with immobilized protein material there is evidence for internal protein dynamics which is probed by the Hf-ion bound to the specific metal-sites.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Chickens
  • Conalbumin / chemistry*
  • Hafnium
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metals
  • Models, Chemical
  • Protein Conformation
  • Spectroscopy, Mossbauer
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Metals
  • Conalbumin
  • Hafnium