Possible mechanism for cold denaturation of proteins at high pressure

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Sep 26;91(13):138103. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.138103. Epub 2003 Sep 26.

Abstract

We study cold denaturation of proteins at high pressures. Using multicanonical Monte Carlo simulations of a model protein in a water bath, we investigate the effect of water density fluctuations on protein stability. We find that above the pressure where water freezes to the dense ice phase (approximately 2 kbars) the mechanism for cold denaturation with decreasing temperature is the loss of local low-density water structure. We find our results in agreement with data of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Pressure
  • Protein Denaturation*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / chemistry

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic