1.E.1 Cyt c

　　Molecular diffusion process after the photo-induced electron injection to ferric cytorome c (Fe(III) cyt c) in guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) 3.5 M buffer solution is studied by the time-resolved transient grating technique. CD studies have revealed that Fe(III) cyt c is unfolded under this condition but the reduced form, Fe(II) cyt c, is folded. Hence, this pulsed laser induced reduction should initiate the folding process of cyt c. The observed TG signal shows prominent features, which have never been observed before. Based on several characteristic points, we concluded that the apparent diffusion coefficient (D) of Fe(II) cyt c after the reduction is time dependent, which must be associated with the protein folding dynamics. This time dependent apparent D should reflect either the continuous time development of the hydrodynamic radius or population change of the unfolded and folded states during the folding dynamics. This is the first observation of the time-dependent apparent D during any chemical reaction and this time-dependent measurement of D should be a unique and powerful way to study the protein folding kinetics from a view point of the proteins shape or the protein-water intermolecular interaction.
　　Change of the diffusion coefficient of Cyt c during the refolding process was also traced in time domain from the unfolded value to the native value continuously at various denaturant (guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)) concentrations and temperatures. In the temperature range of 288 K-308 K and GdnHCl concentration range of 2.5 M- 4.25 M, the diffusion change can be analyzed well by the two state model consistently. It was found that the m‡-value and the activation energy of the transition state from the unfolded state for the hydrogen bonding network change are surprisingly similar to that for the local structural change around the heme group monitored by the fluorescence quenching experiment. This agreement suggests the existence of common or similar fundamental dynamics including water molecular movement to control the refolding dynamics.



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