abstract
The current theories do not provide a convincing explanation for many of the protein' manifestations in solution. Therefore, to shed some light on this critical question, the present work analyzed the effect of dilution on the ability of proteins to catalyze chemical reactions, the so-called biological activity. As models enzymes, laccase from Trametes versicolor and chicken egg white lysozyme were used.The results show that the enzymes' specific biological activity increases on dilution. Three explanations for the intriguing observation were advanced and submitted to experimental scrutiny. Amongst the three hypotheses, only one was corroborated by experiments. According to this explanation, when dissolved in water, proteins reveal two populations: one biologically active whose relative occurrence increases on dilution and another which is not active and whose molecular proportion varies in the opposite direction.Therefore, the reported experimental facts strongly support the chemical behaviour of the proteins in the solution. According to the herein-advocated concepts, they could undergo a dissociation process similar to that found in electrolyte chemistry.
keywords
BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN; OSMOTIC-PRESSURE; ACID
subject category
Chemistry; Physics
authors
Roque, C; Andrade, E; Duarte, L; Costa, M; Tavares, APM; Madeira, PP
our authors
Ana Paula Mora Tavares
Assistant Researcher
Pedro António Palma Madeira
Junior ResearcherProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
Collaboratory for Emerging Technologies, CoLab (EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES)
acknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO- Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This work is funded by national funds (O.E.) through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of article 23, of the Decree -Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. Ana P. M. Tavares acknowledges the FCT for the research contract CEECIND/2020/01867.