Folding and unfolding of an elastinlike oligopeptide: "inverse temperature transition," reentrance, and hydrogen-bond dynamics

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Apr 9;92(14):148101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.148101. Epub 2004 Apr 7.

Abstract

The temperature-dependent behavior of a solvated oligopeptide, GVG(VPGVG), is investigated. Spectroscopic measurements, thermodynamic measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations find that this elastinlike octapeptide behaves as a two-state system that undergoes an "inverse temperature" folding transition and reentrant unfolding close to the boiling point of water. A molecular picture of these processes is presented, emphasizing changes in the dynamics of hydrogen bonding at the protein/water interface and peptide backbone librational entropy.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Elastin / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Folding
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Elastin