Protein conformational changes and myelin solubilization by anion-detergent solutions

FEBS Lett. 1992 Sep 14;309(3):376-80. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(92)80810-4.

Abstract

The addition of sodium sulfate to a myelin suspension in sodium phosphate buffer at neutral pH, containing octyl glucoside detergent (OG), increases the membrane solubility more than 5-fold by an unknown structural mechanism. FTIR spectroscopy has been applied to investigate anion effects on the conformational structure of myelin proteins. Sulfate and sulfate-phosphate media, but not phosphate alone, induce a great conformational protein disorder. The addition of the detergent to the anion mixture solution prevents the myelin from protein denaturation. The conformational transitions have also been quantified through the amide I region. Explanations of these changes and their connections with myelin solubility are also included.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Detergents
  • Myelin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Solubility
  • Solutions
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Solutions