Unfolding kinetics of dimeric creatine kinase measured by stopped-flow small angle X-ray scattering

Biochimie. 2004 Feb;86(2):127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2003.12.002.

Abstract

The unfolding kinetics of creatine kinase (CK) in various concentrations of urea or guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using synchrotron radiation, and compared with the results obtained by stopped-flow circular dichroism and stopped-flow fluorescence. Using the three methods, the unfolding kinetics of CK fits well to a single exponential function with similar apparent rate constants, and the amplitude of the monophasic kinetics covers the entire range of the equilibrium values. The results suggest that the unfolding time-course measured by integrated SAXS intensity corresponds to the intramolecular loss of globular structure. The refolding kinetics of 8 M urea-denatured CK was monitored in a stopped-flow apparatus by following the spectroscopic changes, and the final state of folding was investigated by SAXS. A substantial part of the ellipticity is recovered within a burst phase, indicating that the secondary structure forms at an early stage in refolding. The R(g) value of the final folded state was 33.6 A when the folding buffer contained 20% glycerol, which is characteristic of native-like compactness and globularity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism / methods
  • Creatine Kinase / chemistry*
  • Dimerization
  • Kinetics
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Folding*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods
  • Synchrotrons
  • Time Factors
  • Urea / chemistry
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Urea
  • Creatine Kinase