Sequential mechanism of refolding of carbonic anhydrase B

Authors:
  • NRNatalya A. Rodionova
    Natalya A. Rodionova
  • VKVictor P. Kutyshenko
    Victor P. Kutyshenko
  • BEBernd Ebert
    Bernd Ebert
  • JBJürgen Blanck
    Jürgen Blanck
  • OPOleg B. Ptitsyn
    Oleg B. Ptitsyn

Abstract
The kinetics of refolding of bovine carbonic anhydrase B was studied by a variety of methods over a wide range of times (from milliseconds to hours). It has been shown that protein refolding proceeds through three stages. At the first stage (t ½≈0.03 s) hydrophobic clusters and a compact state of the chain are formed. At the second stage (t ½≈140 s) hydrophobic clusters are desolvated and the rigid native‐like hydrophobic core is formed. At the third stage (t ½≈600 s) the native active protein is formed.