Observation of the Formation of the Dynamic Clusters in Concentrated Lysozyme Protein Solutions

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

OSTI ID:984764

Chen, Wei-Ren ^[1]; Liu, Yun ^[2]; Porcar, L. ^[2]; Falus, Peter ^[1]; Baglioni, Piero ^[1]; Hong, Kunlun ^[1]; Fratini, Emiliano ^[3]

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1. ORNL
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
3. University of Florence

Neutron spin echo (NSE) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) are used to investigate the structure and short-time dynamics of lysozyme protein solutions with the presence of the equilibrium clusters. The Q dependent collective diffusion coefficient indicates there are no significant inter-monomeric-protein dynamics at high Q. Upon increasing the concentration, the self diffusion coefficient at short-time limit is seen to decrease much faster than that of the hard-sphere and charge stabilized colloidal suspensions, further supporting the formation of clusters under the probed experimental conditions. These clusters are further argued to have finite life time instead of conglomerating permanently. Moreover, evidenced by the average hydrodynamic radius, at relatively low concentration, there are very few dynamical clusters, while at higher concentrations, the diffusion behavior at short-time limit is dominated by the dynamic clusters.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Spallation Neutron Source
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 984764
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
DIFFUSION
HYDRODYNAMICS
LYSOZYME
NEUTRONS
PROTEINS
SCATTERING
SELF-DIFFUSION
SPIN ECHO