Modulation of folding energy landscape by charge-charge interactions: linking experiments with computational modeling.

The kinetics of folding-unfolding of a structurally diverse set of four proteins optimized for thermodynamic stability by rational redesign of surface charge-charge interactions is characterized experimentally. The folding rates are faster for designed variants compared with their wild-type proteins, whereas the unfolding rates are largely unaffected. A simple structure-based computational model, which incorporates the Debye-Hückel formalism for the electrostatics, was used and found to qualitatively recapitulate the experimental results.

Kinetic consequences of native state optimization of surface-exposed electrostatic interactions in the Fyn SH3 domain.

Optimization of surface exposed charge-charge interactions in the native state has emerged as an effective means to enhance protein stability; but the effect of electrostatic interactions on the kinetics of protein folding is not well understood. To investigate the kinetic consequences of surface charge optimization, we characterized the folding kinetics of a Fyn SH3 domain variant containing five amino acid substitutions that was computationally designed to optimize surface charge-charge interactions. Our results demonstrate that this optimized Fyn SH3 domain is stabilized primarily through an eight-fold acceleration in the folding rate.

Universal convergence of the specific volume changes of globular proteins upon unfolding.

Both pressure and temperature are important environmental variables, and to obtain a complete understanding of the mechanisms of protein folding, it is necessary to determine how protein stability is dependent on these fundamental thermodynamic parameters. Although the temperature dependence of protein stability has been widely explored, the dependence of protein stability on pressure is not as well studied. In this paper, we report the results of the direct thermodynamic determination of the change in specific volume (DeltaV/V) upon protein unfolding, which defines the pressure dependence of protein stability, for five model proteins (ubiquitin, eglin c, ribonuclease A, lysozyme, and cytochrome c).

A computational approach for the rational design of stable proteins and enzymes: optimization of surface charge-charge interactions.

The design of stable proteins and enzymes is not only of particular biotechnological importance, but also addresses some important fundamental questions. While there are a number of different options available for designing or engineering stable proteins, the field of computational design provides fast and universal methods for stabilizing proteins of interest. One of the successful computational design strategies focuses on stabilizing proteins through the optimization of charge-charge interactions on the protein surface.

Protein stabilization by the rational design of surface charge-charge interactions.

The design of proteins with increased stability has many important applications in biotechnology. In recent years, strategies involving directed evolution, sequence-based design, or computational design have proven successful for generating stabilized proteins. A brief overview of the various methods that have been used to increase protein stability is presented, followed by a detailed example of how the rational design of surface charge-charge interactions has provided a robust method for protein stabilization.

Use of pressure perturbation calorimetry to characterize the volumetric properties of proteins.

Pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC) is a new technique that makes possible to study the volumetric changes that occur upon protein unfolding. Here, we summarize the thermodynamic foundation of the method and introduce a two-state model for the analysis of the unfolding data monitored by PPC. Several examples of data analysis illustrating potential pitfalls and solutions are discussed.

Computational design of the Fyn SH3 domain with increased stability through optimization of surface charge charge interactions.

Computational design of surface charge-charge interactions has been demonstrated to be an effective way to increase both the thermostability and the stability of proteins. To test the robustness of this approach for proteins with predominantly beta-sheet secondary structure, the chicken isoform of the Fyn SH3 domain was used as a model system. Computational analysis of the optimal distribution of surface charges showed that the increase in favorable energy per substitution begins to level off at five substitutions; hence, the designed Fyn sequence contained four charge reversals at existing charged positions and one introduction of a new charge.