Electrostatic interactions between a protein and oppositely charged micelles

J Phys Chem B. 2008 Mar 20;112(11):3339-45. doi: 10.1021/jp0742618. Epub 2008 Feb 27.

Abstract

Micellar solutions made of a fully fluorinated surfactant, LiPFN, form water-soluble complexes with lysozyme in a wide concentration range. Such complexes are stabilized by electrostatic and, very presumably, double-layer interactions. The mixtures were investigated by combining electrophoretic mobility, DLS, and dielectric relaxation methods. The former gives information on the surface charge density of protein-micelle complexes and indicates that the resulting adducts retain a negative charge (i.e., charge neutralization is incomplete). The double-layer thickness of proteins, micelles, and protein-micelle complexes is also connected to the dielectric relaxation frequency. Changes in particle size (inferred by DLS), charge density, and double-layer thickness are closely interrelated to each other. A model was developed to quantify such properties.

MeSH terms

  • Fluorocarbons / chemistry*
  • Micelles
  • Muramidase / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Solubility
  • Static Electricity
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • Micelles
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Water
  • Muramidase