A Biochemical Study of Noncovalent Forces in Proteins Using Phycocyanin from Spirulina

• Barbara A. Heller ^[1] ; Yvonne M. Gindt ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Nebraska at Kearney

     University of Nebraska at Kearney

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 77, Nº 11 (November), 2000, págs. 1458-1458
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Protein tertiary structure is maintained by noncovalent forces. These forces are disrupted by simple environmental changes (increasing temperature, pH, or adding denaturants) but are not always simple to observe. This experiment, suitable for all levels of undergraduate biochemistry laboratories, uses absorption spectroscopy to monitor the denaturation of a pigmented protein. The protein, phycocyanin, contains a covalently attached pigment whose visible spectrum is sensitive to changes in protein environment. The experiment can be done in one or two 3-hour lab periods. The first session isolates the protein from cyanobacteria capsules and the second session studies the denaturation of the protein.