Alteration of water absorption in the THz region traces the onset of fibrillation in proteins

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Feb 1;57(8):998-1001. doi: 10.1039/d0cc06500e.

Abstract

Using terahertz spectroscopy, we established the alteration of the collective hydration of water during the fibrillation process (native → intermediate → fibril) of a model protein bovine serum albumin. This label-free study concludes that water dynamics change systematically with protein conformational changes as it experiences a hydrophobic environment during the initial protein unfolding process, followed by the release of bound water during oligomerization and finally the hydrophobic interior of the fibril.

MeSH terms

  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • Terahertz Spectroscopy*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Water
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine