Abstract
THz spectroscopy is combined with MD simulations to study the dynamical properties of water in the solvation shell of proteins. The solvation dynamics is found to be influenced on length-scales of several hydration layers which is significantly more than what is found for static properties. Our experiments show that the properties of this dynamical solvation shell depend on the folding state of the protein. Kinetic THz absorption studies allow us to observe the formation of the dynamical solvation shell of the native protein upon folding. The experimental results can be reproduced using MD simulations which helps to develop a molecular understanding in terms of retardation of water dynamics.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 74-83 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Methods |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Folding
- Low frequency motions
- MD simulations
- Protein dynamics
- Protein folding
- Proteins
- Solvation
- Solvation dynamics
- THz spectroscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology