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Home / Applications / Temperature-Dependent CD and Fluorescence Spectral Measurements of Lysozyme

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  • Technique

Temperature-Dependent CD and Fluorescence Spectral Measurements of Lysozyme

By Heather Haffner

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January 5, 2024

Introduction

J-1500 Circular Dichroism Spectrophotometer
J-1500 Circular Dichroism Spectrophotometer

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the research and manufacturing of biomedicines derived from proteins, which are becoming more widely available in the biopharmaceutical industry. An important requirement in the manufacturing and quality control of protein-based biopharmaceuticals is in the assessment of stability during storage and the effects of storage conditions. The measurement of denaturation and thermal stability are of considerable importance in guaranteeing the efficacy of biopharmaceuticals. CD measurement offers significant advantage in the assessment of protein secondary structure due to its requirement for small amount of sample coupled with high sensitivity measurement. Therefore, CD measurement is becoming one of the most popular techniques used in the analysis of the thermal stability and changes in protein structure caused by ionic strength and pH. The use of fluorescence spectroscopy in the probing tryptophan residues also yields important information about the tertiary structure of proteins.

This application note illustrates temperature-dependent CD and fluorescence measurements of lysozyme obtained simultaneously using the J-1500 CD spectrometer, FMO-522 Emission Monochromator accessory, and Temperature/Wavelength Scan Measurement program.

Experimental

Measurement Conditions
CDFluorescence
Data Pitch0.5 nmData Interval2 nm
Bandwidth1 nmExcitation Bandwidth1 nm
D.I.T.2 secExcitation Wavelength280 nm
Scan Speed100 nm/minEmission Bandwidth10 nm
D.I.T.1 sec
Temperature Measurement
Temperature Range20-90°CGradient (Heating Range0.1°C
Wavelength222 nmD.I.T.4 sec
Bandwidth1 nm

An aqueous solution of 0.25 mg/mL of lysozyme, derived from egg white, was prepared and measured using a 5×5 mm rectangular quartz cell.

Keywords

210-CD-0023, J-1500, FMO-522 Emission monochromator, Circular dichroism, Fluorescence, Secondary structure, Tertiary structure, Thermal stability, Biochemistry

Results

Temperature-Dependent Circular Dichroism spectra of lysozyme from 20 to 90ºC.
Figure 1. Temperature-Dependent CD spectra of lysozyme from 20 to 90ºC.

Figure 1 shows the temperature-dependent CD spectra of lysozyme. The data illustrate that the CD intensity decreases with increasing temperature and the negative maxima at 208 nm is shifted to 203 nm with increasing temperatures. These results indicate that the helical structure of the protein at room temperature converts to a more random structure at higher temperatures.

 

Circular Dichroism thermal melt data of lysozyme at 222 nm.
Figure 2. CD thermal melt data of lysozyme at 222 nm.

To determine the transition temperature of the secondary structure conversion, the CD signal was monitored at 222 nm as a function of temperature. Figure 2 illustrates that from 70 to 80ºC, the CD intensity drastically decreases and the melting temperature (Tm) was calculated to be 74.38ºC.

 

 

 

Circular Dichroism spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).
Figure 3. CD spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).

Once the initial melt was complete, the lysozyme solution was cooled back down to 20ºC, to verify folding was reversible. Figure 3 shows the CD spectrum of the initial 20ºC spectrum (black) compared with the spectrum measured at 90ºC (red) and at 20ºC after the melt (blue). The spectra before and after are very similar, indicating that the protein does refold once the temperature is reduced, however, the refolding process is not complete.

 

 

 

Temperature-Dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme.
Figure 4. Temperature-Dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme.

Tryptophan is commonly found in most proteins and has an emission maximum which is very sensitive to the polarity of its surrounding environment. In a nonpolar environment or when the residue is buried inside a protein, the fluorescence maximum is seen near 320 nm. Tryptophan in a polar environment or when it is solvent exposed, has an emission maximum near 350 nm. Figure 4 shows the temperature-dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme. Initially the emission maximum is at 340 nm but upon increasing temperatures, the peak is redshifted and at 90ºC is at 352 nm. This result indicates that the tryptophan residue commonly tucked away inside the interior of the protein at 20ºC moves to the periphery of the protein as it unfolds due to increasing temperatures.

 

Fluorescence thermal melt data. The fluorescence intensity was plotted as the ratio of 352 and 340 nm.
Figure 5. Fluorescence thermal melt data. The fluorescence intensity was plotted as the ratio of 352 and 340 nm.

Figure 5 shows the peak ratio plot of the fluorescence intensity at 340 nm and 352 nm as a function of temperature. From 70 to 75ºC, the peak ratio significantly increases, indicating that the protein environment surrounding the tryptophan residues is altered and corroborating the melting temperature at 74ºC calculated from the CD data.

 

 

 

Fluorescence spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).
Figure 6. Fluorescence spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).

The ability of lysozyme to refold was also evaluated using fluorescence and the results are shown in Figure 6. They suggest that after cooling the protein, the lysozyme structure almost completely returns to its initial state, confirming the CD data which also indicate partial lysozyme refolding upon cooling.

References

1.  S. V. Konev, “Fluorescence and Phosphorescence of Proteins and Nucleic Acids”, Plenum Press, New York, 1967.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.

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About the Author

JASCO Application Note

Temperature-Dependent CD and Fluorescence Spectral Measurements of Lysozyme

Introduction

J-1500 Circular Dichroism Spectrophotometer
J-1500 Circular Dichroism Spectrophotometer

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the research and manufacturing of biomedicines derived from proteins, which are becoming more widely available in the biopharmaceutical industry. An important requirement in the manufacturing and quality control of protein-based biopharmaceuticals is in the assessment of stability during storage and the effects of storage conditions. The measurement of denaturation and thermal stability are of considerable importance in guaranteeing the efficacy of biopharmaceuticals. CD measurement offers significant advantage in the assessment of protein secondary structure due to its requirement for small amount of sample coupled with high sensitivity measurement. Therefore, CD measurement is becoming one of the most popular techniques used in the analysis of the thermal stability and changes in protein structure caused by ionic strength and pH. The use of fluorescence spectroscopy in the probing tryptophan residues also yields important information about the tertiary structure of proteins.

This application note illustrates temperature-dependent CD and fluorescence measurements of lysozyme obtained simultaneously using the J-1500 CD spectrometer, FMO-522 Emission Monochromator accessory, and Temperature/Wavelength Scan Measurement program.

Experimental

Measurement Conditions
CDFluorescence
Data Pitch0.5 nmData Interval2 nm
Bandwidth1 nmExcitation Bandwidth1 nm
D.I.T.2 secExcitation Wavelength280 nm
Scan Speed100 nm/minEmission Bandwidth10 nm
D.I.T.1 sec
Temperature Measurement
Temperature Range20-90°CGradient (Heating Range0.1°C
Wavelength222 nmD.I.T.4 sec
Bandwidth1 nm

An aqueous solution of 0.25 mg/mL of lysozyme, derived from egg white, was prepared and measured using a 5×5 mm rectangular quartz cell.

Results

Temperature-Dependent Circular Dichroism spectra of lysozyme from 20 to 90ºC.
Figure 1. Temperature-Dependent CD spectra of lysozyme from 20 to 90ºC.

Figure 1 shows the temperature-dependent CD spectra of lysozyme. The data illustrate that the CD intensity decreases with increasing temperature and the negative maxima at 208 nm is shifted to 203 nm with increasing temperatures. These results indicate that the helical structure of the protein at room temperature converts to a more random structure at higher temperatures.

 

Circular Dichroism thermal melt data of lysozyme at 222 nm.
Figure 2. CD thermal melt data of lysozyme at 222 nm.

To determine the transition temperature of the secondary structure conversion, the CD signal was monitored at 222 nm as a function of temperature. Figure 2 illustrates that from 70 to 80ºC, the CD intensity drastically decreases and the melting temperature (Tm) was calculated to be 74.38ºC.

 

 

 

Circular Dichroism spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).
Figure 3. CD spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).

Once the initial melt was complete, the lysozyme solution was cooled back down to 20ºC, to verify folding was reversible. Figure 3 shows the CD spectrum of the initial 20ºC spectrum (black) compared with the spectrum measured at 90ºC (red) and at 20ºC after the melt (blue). The spectra before and after are very similar, indicating that the protein does refold once the temperature is reduced, however, the refolding process is not complete.

 

 

 

Temperature-Dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme.
Figure 4. Temperature-Dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme.

Tryptophan is commonly found in most proteins and has an emission maximum which is very sensitive to the polarity of its surrounding environment. In a nonpolar environment or when the residue is buried inside a protein, the fluorescence maximum is seen near 320 nm. Tryptophan in a polar environment or when it is solvent exposed, has an emission maximum near 350 nm. Figure 4 shows the temperature-dependent fluorescence spectra of lysozyme. Initially the emission maximum is at 340 nm but upon increasing temperatures, the peak is redshifted and at 90ºC is at 352 nm. This result indicates that the tryptophan residue commonly tucked away inside the interior of the protein at 20ºC moves to the periphery of the protein as it unfolds due to increasing temperatures.

 

Fluorescence thermal melt data. The fluorescence intensity was plotted as the ratio of 352 and 340 nm.
Figure 5. Fluorescence thermal melt data. The fluorescence intensity was plotted as the ratio of 352 and 340 nm.

Figure 5 shows the peak ratio plot of the fluorescence intensity at 340 nm and 352 nm as a function of temperature. From 70 to 75ºC, the peak ratio significantly increases, indicating that the protein environment surrounding the tryptophan residues is altered and corroborating the melting temperature at 74ºC calculated from the CD data.

 

 

 

Fluorescence spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).
Figure 6. Fluorescence spectra of lysozyme measured at 20ºC (black), heated to 90ºC (red), and cooled back down to 20ºC (blue).

The ability of lysozyme to refold was also evaluated using fluorescence and the results are shown in Figure 6. They suggest that after cooling the protein, the lysozyme structure almost completely returns to its initial state, confirming the CD data which also indicate partial lysozyme refolding upon cooling.

Keywords

210-CD-0023, J-1500, FMO-522 Emission monochromator, Circular dichroism, Fluorescence, Secondary structure, Tertiary structure, Thermal stability, Biochemistry

References

1.  S. V. Konev, “Fluorescence and Phosphorescence of Proteins and Nucleic Acids”, Plenum Press, New York, 1967.

This document has been prepared based on information available at the time of publication and is subject to revision without notice. Although the contents are checked with the utmost care, we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. JASCO Corporation assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any information contained in this document. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in this document remain the property of JASCO Corporation. Please do not attempt to copy, modify, redistribute, or sell etc. in whole or in part without prior written permission.
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