Density discriminates between thermophilic and mesophilic proteins |
| |
Authors: | Andrea Amadei Sara Del Galdo |
| |
Institution: | Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Roma, Italy |
| |
Abstract: | Despite an intense interest and a remarkable number of studies on the subject, the relationships between thermostability and (primary, secondary and tertiary) structure of proteins are still not fully understood. Here, comparing the protein density – defined by the ratio between the residue number and protein excluded volume – for a set of thermophilic/mesophilic pairs, we provide evidence that this property is connected to the optimal growth temperature. In particular, our results indicate that thermophilic proteins have – in general – a lower density with respect to the mesophilic counterparts, being such a correlation more pronounced for optimal growth temperature differences greater than 40°C. The effect of the protein thermostability changes on the molecular shape is also presented. |
| |
Keywords: | thermostability protein density mesophilic and thermophilic proteins protein structure |
|
|