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Articles

Proline and Glycine Betaine Influence Protein Solvation ¹

Department of Botany, Birkbeck College, University of London, London WC1E 7HX England, Department of Plant Sciences, Kings College, University of London, London SE24 9JF England

Glutamine synthetase from barley (Hordeum distichum L.) is precipitated by polyethylene glycol (PEG). Proline, in a concentration-dependent manner, reduces the amount of enzyme precipitated by PEG, although the effect of the imino acid can be counteracted by raising the level of PEG. The effect of PEG is a function of mer number and concentration and the influence of both elements can be ameliorated by proline. PEG-induced enzyme precipitation is a function of pH, as is its interaction with both proline and betaine in the reaction. The lack of effect of amount of enzyme on the proline and PEG effects supports the conclusion that, in this system, proline and PEG do not function through interaction with the protein. Other compounds, such as glycine, glucose, and sucrose, can decrease the PEG-induced precipitation of the enzyme, although glycerol was not active under the conditions employed.

The results are consistent with the proposition that a protein-containing system in which high concentrations of proline and/or betaine are present, is better `protected' against the biologically unfavorable consequences of dehydration-induced thermodynamic perturbation.

¹ Supported by Royal Society and Nuffield Foundation and Wheat Industry Research Council Grants.

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