Effect of temperature on viscosity properties of some alpha-amino acids in aqueous urea solutions

Viscosities for solutions of glycine, DL-alpha-alanine, DL-alpha-amino-n-butyric acid, DL-valine, DL-leucine and L-serine in 5 mol kg(-1) aqueous urea have been determined at 278.15, 288.15, 298.15 and 308.15 K. The viscosity B-coefficients for the amino acids in the aqueous urea solution have been calculated at different temperatures. The effect of temperature on the B-coefficients is discussed on the basis of the Feakins equation. The contribution of solute to the activation parameters (delta mu0*2, deltaH0*2, deltaS0*2) for viscous flow of the solution have been calculated, together with the Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of transfer for the amino acids from the ground-state solvent to the hypothetical viscous transition state solvent. The contributions of the charged end group (NH3+, COO-) and CH2 groups of the amino acids to B-coefficient and delta mu0*2 have been also estimated using the linear correlations between B-coefficient or delta mu0*2 and the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chains of the amino acids. All the activation parameters are discussed in terms of the solute-solvent interactions in the ground and transition states.     

Side-chain conformational thermodynamics of aspartic acid residue in the peptides and achatin-I in aqueous solution

Sequence-position dependence of the side-chain conformational equilibrium of aspartic acid (Asp) residue is investigated for both model Asp peptides (di- to tetra-) and neuropeptide achatin-I (Gly--Phe-Ala-Asp) in aqueous solution. The trans-to-gauche conformational changes on the dihedral angle of C-C(alpha)-C(beta)-C are analyzed in terms of the standard free energy DeltaG(0), enthalpy DeltaH(0), and entropy -TDeltaS(0). The thermodynamic quantities are obtained by measuring the dihedral-angle-dependent vicinal (1)H-(1)H coupling constants in nuclear magnetic resonance over a wide temperature range. When the carboxyl groups of Asp are ionized, DeltaG(0) in the aqueous phase depends by approximately 1-2 kJ mol(-1) on the sequence position, whereas the energy change in the gas phase (absence of solvent) depends by tens of kJ mol(-1). Therefore, the weak position dependence of DeltaG(0) is a result of the compensation for the intramolecular effect by the hydration (= DeltaG(0)-). The DeltaH(0) and -TDeltaS(0) components, on the other hand, exhibit a notable trend at the C-terminus. The C-terminal DeltaH(0) is larger than the N- and nonterminal DeltaH(0) values due to the intramolecular repulsion between alpha- and beta-. The C-terminal -TDeltaS(0) is negative and larger in magnitude than the others, and an attractive solute-solvent interaction at the C-terminus serves as a structure breaker of the water solvent.     

Adsorption kinetics of azinphosmethyl from aqueous solution onto pyrolyzed Horseshoe sea crab shell from the Atlantic Ocean

The adsorption behavior of azinphosmethyl on pyrolyzed Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) outer shell, as a residue, from the Atlantic Ocean, collected along the Maine coast, USA, has been studied with regards to its kinetic and equilibrium conditions, taking into account adsorbate concentrations of 2 x 10(-3), 4 x 10(-3), 6 x 10(-3), and 8 x 10(-3), as well as temperatures of 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 50 degrees C, and 60 degrees C. The yield of adsorption of azinphosmethyl from aqueous solution ranged from 56.1% to 61% with temperature increasing. Kinetic studies showed that adsorption rate decreased as the initial azinphosmethyl concentration increased. It was found, that the adsorption reaction obeyed first-order kinetics. The overall rate constants were estimated for different temperatures. The activation energy for adsorption was about 1.52 kJmol(-1), which implies that azinphosmethyl mainly adsorbed physically onto Horseshoe Crab outer shell. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to the experimental data and isotherm constants were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters DeltaG0, DeltaH0 and DeltaS0 for the adsorption reaction were evaluated based on equilibrium data and in connection with this result the thermodynamic aspects of adsorption reaction were discussed. The adsorption was found to be endothermic in nature. The adsorbent used in this study proved highly efficient for the removal of azinphosmethyl.     

Removal of molybdate from water by adsorption onto ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon

Removal and recovery of molybdate from aqueous solution was investigated using ZnCl2 activated carbon developed from coir pith. Studies were conducted to delineate the effects of contact time, adsorbent dose, molybdate concentration, pH and temperature. Two theoretical adsorption isotherms, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe the experimental results. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q0) was found to be 18.9 mg molybdate/g of the adsorbent. Adsorption followed second order kinetics. Studies were performed at different pH values to find out the pH at which maximum adsorption occurred. The pH effect and desorption studies showed that ion exchange and chemisorption mechanism were involved in the adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaG0, DeltaH0 and DeltaS0 for the adsorption were evaluated. Effect of foreign ions on adsorption of molybdate has been examined. The results showed that ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon was effective for the removal and recovery of molybdate from water.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of HIV-1 protease inhibitors

Interaction kinetic and thermodynamic analyses provide information beyond that obtained in general inhibition studies, and may contribute to the design of improved inhibitors and increased understanding of molecular interactions. Thus, a biosensor-based method was used to characterize the interactions between HIV-1 protease and seven inhibitors, revealing distinguishing kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics for the inhibitors. Lopinavir had fast association and the highest affinity of the tested compounds, and the interaction kinetics were less temperature-dependent as compared with the other inhibitors. Amprenavir, indinavir and ritonavir showed non-linear temperature dependencies of the kinetics. The free energy, enthalpy and entropy (DeltaG, DeltaH, DeltaS) were determined, and the energetics of complex association (DeltaG(on), DeltaH(on), DeltaS(on)) and dissociation (DeltaG(off), DeltaH(off), DeltaS(off)) were resolved. In general, the energetics for the studied inhibitors was in the same range, with the negative free energy change (DeltaG < 0) due primarily to increased entropy (DeltaS > 0). Thus, the driving force of the interaction was increased degrees of freedom in the system (entropy) rather than the formation of bonds between the enzyme and inhibitor (enthalpy). Although the DeltaG(on) and DeltaG(off) were in the same range for all inhibitors, the enthalpy and entropy terms contributed differently to association and dissociation, distinguishing these phases energetically. Dissociation was accompanied by positive enthalpy (DeltaH(off) > 0) and negative entropy (DeltaS(off) < 0) changes, whereas association for all inhibitors except lopinavir had positive entropy changes (DeltaS(on) > 0), demonstrating unique energetic characteristics for lopinavir. This study indicates that this type of data will be useful for the characterization of target-ligand interactions and the development of new inhibitors of HIV-1 protease.     

Temperature-dependences of the kinetics of reactions of papain and actinidin with a series of reactivity probes differing in key molecular recognition features

The temperature-dependences of the second-order rate constants (k) of the reactions of the catalytic site thiol groups of two cysteine peptidases papain (EC 3.4.22.2) and actinidin (EC 3.4.22.14) with a series of seven 2-pyridyl disulphide reactivity probes (R-S-S-2-Py, in which R provides variation in recognition features) were determined at pH 6.7 at temperatures in the range 4-30 degrees C by stopped-flow methodology and were used to calculate values of DeltaS++, DeltaH++ and DeltaG++. The marked changes in DeltaS++ from negative to positive in the papain reactions consequent on provision of increase in the opportunities for key non-covalent recognition interactions may implicate microsite desolvation in binding site-catalytic site signalling to provide a catalytically relevant transition state. The substantially different behaviour of actinidin including apparent masking of changes in DeltaH++ by an endothermic conformational change suggests a difference in mechanism involving kinetically significant conformational change.     

Thermodynamics of the conformational transition of biopolyelectrolytes: the case of specific affinity of counterions.

A formal development of the Counterion Condensation theory (CC) of linear polyelectrolytes has been performed to include specific (chemical) affinity of condensed counterions, for polyelectrolyte charge density values larger than the critical value of condensation. It has been conventionally assumed that each condensed counterion exhibits an affinity free-energy difference for the polymer, (DeltaG(aff)). Moreover, the model assumes that the enthalpic and entropic contributions to DeltaG(aff), i.e., DeltaH(aff) and DeltaS(aff), are both independent of temperature, ionic strength and polymer concentration. Equations have been derived relative to the case of the thermally induced, ionic strength dependent, conformational transition of a biopolyelectrolyte between two conformations for which chemical affinity is supposed to take place. The experimental data of the intramolecular conformational transition of the ionic polysaccharide kappa-carrageenan in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) have been successfully compared with the theoretical predictions. This novel approach provides the enthalpic and entropic affinity values for both conformations, together with the corresponding thermodynamic functions of nonpolyelectrolytic origin pertaining to the biopolymer backbone change per se, i.e., DeltaH(n.pol) and DeltaS(n.pol), according to a treatment previously shown to be successful for lower values of the biopolyelectrolyte linear charge density. The ratio of DeltaH(n.pol) to DeltaS(n.pol) was found to be remarkably constant independent of the value of the dielectric constant of the solvent, from formamide to water to DMSO, pointing to the identity of the underlying conformational process.     

Thermal inactivation studies of normal and variant human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrases by using a sulphonamide-binding assay

Heat-inactivation studies were carried out on the two primary erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes, CA I and CA II, and the secondary isoenzyme of CA I, CA I (+1). In addition, two genetic variants of human isoenzyme CA I, CA Id Michigan (100 Thr-->Lys) and CA If London (102 Glu-->Lys), and one variant of isoenzyme CA II, CA IIh (251 Asn-->Asp), were similarly analysed. The first-order rate constants and Arrhenius plots for these six enzyme forms showed that (1) isoenzyme CA II is more heat-stable than CA I, (2) isoenzyme CA I (+1) is less heat-stable than CA I, (3) the variants CA IIh and CA If London are less heat-stable than the normal enzymes, and (4) isoenzyme CA Id Michigan is more heat-stable than normal CA I. From the values of the slopes of the Arrhenius plots, the energy of activation (E(a)) for each isoenzyme and isoenzyme variant was determined, and the following thermodynamic activation parameters were calculated at 55 degrees C: the free energy of activation (DeltaG(double dagger)), the activation enthalpy (DeltaH(double dagger)) and the activation entropy (DeltaS(double dagger)). The DeltaG(double dagger) for the enzymes shows a relative constancy with compensating variation in DeltaH(double dagger) and DeltaS(double dagger). When the values for DeltaH(double dagger) are plotted against DeltaS(double dagger), an increase in DeltaH(double dagger) involves a concomitant increase in DeltaS(double dagger).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between chromium(III) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic (dihydrocaffeic) acid in weak acidic aqueous solutions

The reaction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (dihydrocaffeic acid, hydcafH3) with chromium(III) in weak acidic aqueous solutions has been shown to take place through various oxygen-bonded intermediates. The formation of the oxygen-bonded complexes upon substitution of water molecules of the chromium(III) coordination sphere takes place in at least three stages, the first of which has an observed rate constant k1(obs)=k1K0'[hydcafH3]/[H+] where K0' corresponds to the Cr(H2O)6(3+) complex dissociation equilibrium. The second and third stages are ligand concentration independent and are thus attributed to isomerisation and chelation processes. The corresponding activation parameters are DeltaH2(not equal)=78+/-3 kJmol(-1), DeltaS2(not equal)=-49+/-9 JK(-1)mol(-1), DeltaH3(not equal)=60+/-9 kJmol(-1) and DeltaS3(not equal)=-112+/-39 JK(-1)mol(-1). The kinetic results support associative mechanisms and the nature of the electronic spectra a catecholic-type of coordination at the pH and concentration range studied and reported in this paper. The associatively activated substitution processes are accompanied by proton release causing a pH decrease. At lower acid concentration oxidation of the ligand takes place with concomitant high increase in the UV and VIS absorbance.     

Effect of monomeric and oligomeric sugar osmolytes on ΔGD, the Gibbs energy of stabilization of the protein at different pH values: Is the sum effect of monosaccharide individually additive in a mixture?

Thermal denaturation curves of ribonuclease-A were measured by monitoring changes in the far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra in the presence of different concentrations of six sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, raffinose and stachyose) and mixture of monosaccharide constituents of each oligosaccharide at various pH values in the range of 6.0-2.0. These measurements gave values of T(m) (midpoint of denaturation), DeltaH(m) (enthalpy change at T(m)), DeltaC(p) (constant-pressure heat capacity change) under a given solvent condition. Using these values of DeltaH(m), T(m) and DeltaC(p) in appropriate thermodynamic relations, thermodynamic parameters at 25 degrees C, namely, DeltaG(D)(o) (Gibbs energy change), DeltaH(D)(o) (enthalpy change), and DeltaS(D)(o) (entropy change) were determined at a given pH and concentration of each sugar (including its mixture of monosaccharide constituents). Our main conclusions are: (i) each sugar stabilizes the protein in terms of T(m) and DeltaG(D)(o), and this stabilization is under enthalpic control, (ii) the protein stabilization by the oligosaccharide is significantly less than that by the equimolar concentration of the constituent monosaccharides, and (iii) the stabilization by monosaccharides in a mixture is fully additive. Furthermore, measurements of the far- and near-UV CD spectra suggested that secondary and tertiary structures of protein in their native and denatured states are not perturbed on the addition of sugars.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the stability of thrombin receptor antagonistic peptides in hydrophobic environments

In this paper, a general procedure is described to determine thermodynamic parameters associated with the interaction of thrombin receptor antagonistic peptides (TRAPs) with immobilized nonpolar ligands. The results show that these interactions were associated with nonlinear van't Hoff dependencies over a wide temperature range. Moreover, changes in relevant thermodynamic parameters, namely the changes in Gibbs free energy of interaction, DeltaG(0)assoc, enthalpy of interaction, DeltaH(0)assoc, entropy of interaction, DeltaS(0)assoc, and heat capacity, DeltaC(0)p, have been related to the structural properties of these TRAP analogs. The implications of these investigations for the design of thrombin receptor agonists/antagonists with structures stabilized by intramolecular hydrophobic interactions are discussed.     

Water plays a different role on activation thermodynamic parameters of alcoholysis reaction catalyzed by lipase in gaseous and organic media

The effect of water on the alcoholysis of methyl propionate and n-propanol catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) has been compared in a continuous solid-gas reactor and in an organic liquid medium. The enthalpic and entropic contributions of water to the Gibbs free energy of activation in the gas phase were different from the ones in the organic phase, the inverse trends being observed for the variation of both DeltaH* and DeltaS* with water activity.Different phenomena were identified for their influence on the thermodynamic parameters. When increasing a(w), the enhanced flexibility of the enzyme was predominant in the gas phase whereas substrate-solvent interactions due to an increased polarity of the solvent affected mainly the thermodynamic parameters in the organic phase. The observed variations of DeltaG* with water activity were in accordance with kinetics results previously obtained in both reaction media.     

Sorption of Cr(III) onto chelating b-DAEG-sporopollenin and CEP-sporopollenin resins

In the present study, the removal of Cr(III) from aqueous solution was studied using a new chelate-resins (b-DAEG-sporopollenin and CEP-sporopollenin). Mechanisms including ion exchange, complexation and adsorption to the surface are possible in the sorption process. Adsorption analysis results obtained at various concentrations of Cr(III) showed that the adsorption pattern on the resin followed a Langmuir isotherm. Langmuir constant Gamma max and k for Cr(III) were found as 1.23, 84.84 mmol/g for b-DAEG-sporopollenin, 133.33, 10.39 mmol/g for CEP-sporopollenin at 20 +/- 1 degrees C, respectively. In addition, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (DeltaH0), free energy (DeltaG0) and entropy (DeltaS0) were calculated and these values show that adsorption of Cr(III) on b-DAEG-sporopollenin and CEP-sporopollenin was an exothermic process and the process of adsorption was favored at high temperatures. Maximum Cr(III) removal was observed near a pH of 6.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic investigation on ascorbate oxidase activity and stability of a Cucurbita maxima extract

The kinetic and thermodynamic properties of ascorbate oxidase (AO) activity and stability of a Cucurbita maxima extract were investigated. Activity tests performed at 25 degrees C using initial ascorbic acid concentration in the range 50-750 M allowed estimating the Michaelis constant for this substrate (Km = 126 microM) and the maximum initial rate of ascorbic acid oxidation (A0,max = 1.57 mM min-1). The main thermodynamic parameters of the enzyme reaction (DeltaH* = 10.3 kJ mol-1; DeltaG* = 87.2 kJ mol-1; DeltaS* = -258 J mol-1 K-1) were estimated through activity tests performed at 25-48 C. Within such a temperature range, no decrease in the initial reaction rate was detected. The long-term thermostability of the raw extract was then investigated by means of residual activity tests carried out at 10-70 degrees C, which allowed estimating the thermodynamic parameters of the irreversible enzyme inactivation as well (DeltaH*D = 51.7 kJ mol-1; DeltaG*D = 103 kJ mol-1; S*D = -160 J mol-1 K-1). Taking into account the specific rate of AO inactivation determined at different temperatures, we also estimated the enzyme half-life (1047 min at 10 degrees C and 21.2 min at 70 degrees C) and predicted the integral activity of a continuous system using this enzyme preparation. This work should be considered as a preliminary attempt to characterize the AO activity of a C. maxima extract before its concentration by liquid-liquid extraction techniques.     

Reaction of a model siderophore with Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) in aqueous solution: kinetics and spectroscopy

A spectroscopic study was performed showing that the [Fe(III)(L(2-))(2)](1-) (L(2-)=dopacatecholate) complex reacts with Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) in an aqueous solution containing S(2)O(3)(2-) resulting in the soluble [M(L(1-))(3)](1-) (L(1-)=dopasemiquinone; M=Ni(II), Co(II) or Zn(II) complex species. The Raman and IR spectra of the [CTA][M(L(1-))(3)] complexes, CTA=hexadecyltrimethylammonium cation, in the solid state were obtained. The kinetic constants for the metal substitution reactions were determined at four different temperatures, providing values for DeltaH(not equal), DeltaS(not equal) and DeltaG(not equal). The reactions were slow (k=10(-11) Ms(-1)) and endothermic. The system investigated can be considered as a simplified model to explain some aspects of siderophore chemistry.     

Partitioning of caseinomacropeptide in aqueous two-phase systems

This study evaluates the influence of type of salt and temperature on the partition coefficient of caseinomacropetide (CMP) to determine the best conditions for the recovery of CMP in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) composed by poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 1500 and an inorganic salt (potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, lithium sulfate or sodium sulfate). In all systems, CMP presented affinity for the PEG-rich phase. The PEG1500+lithium sulfate showed the highest values of partitioning coefficient. In addition, thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees , DeltaG degrees) as a function of temperature, were calculated for the system PEG1500-sodium citrate at different PEG concentrations and the results imply thermodynamic differences between partitioning of CMP in this system.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of Co-C bond homolysis catalyzed by coenzyme B(12)-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase

Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase is a member of the family of coenzyme B(12)-dependent isomerases and catalyzes the 1,2-rearrangement of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. A common first step in the reactions catalyzed by coenzyme B(12)-dependent enzymes is cleavage of the cobalt-carbon bond of the cofactor, leading to radical-based rearrangement reactions. Comparison of the homolysis rate for the free and enzyme-bound cofactors reveals an enormous rate enhancement which is on the order of a trillion-fold. To address how this large rate acceleration is achieved, we have examined the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters associated with the homolysis reaction catalyzed by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Both the rate and the amount of cob(II)alamin formation have been analyzed as a function of temperature with the protiated substrate. These studies yield the following activation parameters for the homolytic reaction at 37 degrees C: DeltaH(f)() = 18.8 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, DeltaS(f)() = 18.2 +/- 0.8 cal/(mol.K), and DeltaG(f)() = 13.1 +/- 0.6 kcal/mol. Our results reveal that the enzyme lowers the transition state barrier by 17 kcal/mol, corresponding to a rate acceleration of 0.9 x 10(12)-fold. Both entropic and enthalpic factors contribute to the observed rate acceleration, with the latter predominating. The substrate binding step is exothermic, with a DeltaG of -5.2 kcal/mol at 37 degrees C, and is favored by both entropic and enthalpic factors. We have employed the available kinetic and spectroscopic data to construct a qualitative free energy profile for the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase-catalyzed reaction.     

Breakdown kinetics of the tri-chromium(III) oxo acetate cluster ([Cr(3)O(OAc)(6)]+) with some ligands of biological interest

Kinetics for the breakdown of the trinuclear chromium acetate cluster, [Cr(3)O(OAc)(6)](+), with a series of monoprotic and diprotic ligands in weakly acidic aqueous media (pH approximately 4 or approximately 5) have been investigated spectrophotometrically at 40-60 degrees C. The results point to an ion-pair equilibrium as the first step followed by associative interchange mechanism forming the mononuclear product of the reaction. Pseudo-first-order rates were determined from absorbance data and associated activation parameters were calculated using the Eyring equation. Enthalpy and entropy terms of the reactions (e.g., histidine, DeltaH(double dagger) = 75 +/- 15 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(double dagger) = -130 +/- 25 J K(-1) mol(-1); lactic acid, DeltaH(double dagger) = 66 +/- 13 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(double dagger) = -155 +/- 30 J K(-1) mol(-1); glycine, DeltaH(double dagger) = 31 +/- 6 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(double dagger) = -225 +/- 45 J K(-1) mol(-1)) are consistent with an associative interchange (I(a)) mechanism, and produce a linear isokinetic plot (slope = 50 degrees C). Rates and activation parameters are comparable to those of substitution reactions of the chromium(III) hexaaqua cation. Other ligands studied included malonic acid and the amino acid, aspartic acid. Observed rates are faster than water exchange rates, but typically slower than anion substitution rates, and indicate that trinuclear chromium(III) clusters are expected to be kinetically stable in neutral to slightly acidic conditions.     

Novel direct access to enantiomerization barriers from peak profiles in enantioselective dynamic chromatography: enantiomerization of dialkyl-1,3-allenedicarboxylates

The axially chiral allenes dimethyl-1,3-allenedicarboxylate 1 and diethyl-1,3-allenedicarboxylate 2 show characteristic plateau formation during enantioselective GC separation on the chiral stationary liquid phase Chirasil-beta-Dex. The elution profiles, obtained from temperature-dependent dynamic GC (DGC) experiments (1: 100-140 degrees C; 2: 110-150 degrees C) were evaluated with the recently derived approximation function (AF) k1(approx) = f(t(R)(A),t(R)(B),w(h)(A),h(plateau), N) to yield the enantiomerization rate constant directly k(1). These values were compared with those obtained by computer-aided simulation with ChromWin. The Eyring activation parameters of the experimental interconversion profiles were determined to be: DeltaG(#)(298.15 K) = 103.6 +/- 0.9 kJ mol(-1), DeltaH(#) = 44.7 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(#) = -198 +/- 7 J K(1) mol(-1) for dimethyl-1,3-allenedicarboxylate 1, and DeltaG(#)(298.15 K) = 103.5 +/- 1.1 kJ mol(-1), DeltaH(#) = 44.7 +/- 0.5 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(#) = -197 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) for diethyl-1,3-allenedicarboxylate 2. The approximation function (AF) presented here allows the fast determination of rate constants k(1) and activation barriers of enantiomerization DeltaG(#) from chromatographic parameters without extensive computer simulation.     

Temperature-dependent cooperativity in donor-acceptor substrate binding to the human blood group glycosyltransferases

Affinities of the human blood group glycosyltransferases, alpha-(1-->3)-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GTA) and alpha-(1-->3)-galactosyltransferase (GTB) for their common acceptor substrate alpha-l-Fucp-(1-->2)-beta-d-Galp-O(CH2)(7)CH3 (1), in the absence and presence of bound uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) and Mn2+ were determined using temperature-controlled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The presence of bound UDP and Mn(2+) in the donor binding site has a marked influence on the thermodynamic parameters for the association of 1 with GTA and GTB. Both the enthalpy and entropy of association (DeltaH(a), DeltaS(a)) decrease significantly. However, the free energy of association (DeltaG(a)) is unchanged at physiological temperature. The differences in the DeltaH(a) and DeltaS(a) values determined in the presence and absence of bound UDP are attributed to structural changes in the glycosyltransferases induced by the simultaneous binding of 1 and UDP.