Phase behavior of lysozyme solutions in the liquid-liquid phase coexistence region at high hydrostatic pressures

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2016 May 25;18(21):14252-6. doi: 10.1039/c6cp01791f.

Abstract

We present results from small-angle X-ray scattering and turbidity measurements on the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the phase behavior of dense lysozyme solutions in the liquid-liquid phase separation region, and characterize the underlying intermolecular protein-protein interactions as a function of temperature and pressure under charge-screening conditions (0.5 M NaCl). A reentrant liquid-liquid phase separation region is observed at elevated pressures, which may originate in the pressure dependence of the solvent-mediated protein-protein interaction. A temperature-pressure-concentration phase diagram was constructed for highly concentrated lysozyme solutions over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and protein concentrations including the critical region of the liquid-liquid miscibility gap.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • Muramidase / chemistry*
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
  • Phase Transition
  • Protein Interaction Maps
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Sodium Chloride / chemistry
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Solutions
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Muramidase