NMR relaxation studies of the role of conformational entropy in protein stability and ligand binding

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Abstract

Recent advances in the measurement and analysis of protein NMR relaxation data have made it possible to characterize the dynamical properties of many backbone and side chain groups. With certain caveats, changes in flexibility that occur upon ligand binding, mutation, or changes in sample conditions can be interpreted in terms of contributions to conformational entropy. Backbone and side chain flexibility can either decrease or increase upon ligand binding. Decreases are often associated with enthalpy-entropy compensation and induced fit binding, whereas increases in conformational entropy can contribute to stabilization of complexes. In certain cases, conformational entropy appears to play a role in cooperative binding and enzyme catalysis. In addition, variations in conformational entropy and heat capacity may both be important in stabilizing the folded structures of proteins.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)379 - 388
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume34
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 2001

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