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Microscopic surface structure of a globular molecule of ovalbumin in aqueous buffer solutions

1992; American Institute of Physics; Volume: 71; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1063/1.350438

1520-8850

Takayoshi Matsumoto, Hiroshi Inoue, Jiro Chiba,

Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies

The surface roughness (graininess) of a globular molecule of ovalbumin in aqueous buffer solutions was investigated through data from small-angle x-ray scattering in the Porod region. The scattering intensity I changes according to I = K1q−4 or I = K1q−4 + K2. Here q is the wave vector, and K1 and K2 are constants. This means that the surface of the globular molecule does not have a fractal structure, but the electron density transition is relatively sharp at the interface. The specific inner surface Os of the native globular molecule is approximately 1.7 times that of a sphere with a smooth surface. The value of Os is almost independent of the ovalbumin concentration and pH values, but increases with heat denaturation of the system.