SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF A PROTEIN ADSORBED ONA HYDROPHOBIC LATEX

Spectroscopic methods provide a powerful tool for investigating the st ructural properties of immobilized proteins, For that purpose, there w as a strong need for a hydrophobic particle that allows determination of the adsorbed protein conformation by fluorescence and circular dich roism. Among the various hydrophobic suspensions that are available, p erfluoro-alkoxy fluoro carbon Teflon latex satisfies the requirements of low light absorption and scattering, As an example, preliminary res ults of structural changes of a proteolytic enzyme dissolved in aqueou s solution and in the adsorbed state are given. (C) 1996 Academic Pres s, Inc.