ja303894g_si_001.pdf (1.27 MB)
A Polymer Surfactant Corona Dynamically Replaces Water in Solvent-Free Protein Liquids and Ensures Macromolecular Flexibility and Activity
journal contribution
posted on 2016-02-20, 14:34 authored by François-Xavier Gallat, Alex P. S. Brogan, Yann Fichou, Nina McGrath, Martine Moulin, Michael Härtlein, Jérôme Combet, Joachim Wuttke, Stephen Mann, Giuseppe Zaccai, Colin J. Jackson, Adam W. Perriman, Martin WeikThe observation of biological activity in solvent-free
protein–polymer
surfactant hybrids challenges the view of aqueous and nonaqueous solvents
being unique promoters of protein dynamics linked to function. Here,
we combine elastic incoherent neutron scattering and specific deuterium
labeling to separately study protein and polymer motions in solvent-free
hybrids. Myoglobin motions within the hybrid are found to closely
resemble those of a hydrated protein, and motions of the polymer surfactant
coating are similar to those of the hydration water, leading to the
conclusion that the polymer surfactant coating plasticizes protein
structures in a way similar to hydration water.