In-situ spectroscopic investigation of ultrasonic assisted unfolding and aggregation of insulin.

It is well-known that fibrillogenesis of proteins can be influenced by diverse external parameters, such as temperature, pressure, agitation or chemical agents. The present preliminary study suggests that ultrasonic excitation at moderate intensities has a significant influence on the unfolding and aggregation behaviour of insulin. Irradiation with an average sound intensity of even as low as 70mW/cm(2) leads to a lowering of the unfolding and aggregation temperature up to 7K.

Peculiarity of aqueous solutions of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol.

Aqueous solutions of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol appear to show a structural transition at alcohol mole fraction equal to x(TFE) = 0.05, which can be concluded from a discontinuity of the speed of sound. At the same concentration, a discontinuity was observed in the parameters of the long-living component of the positron annihilation spectrum.