CYCLODEXTRINS AS PROTEIN-FOLDING AIDS

Aggregation of proteins is a frequent occurence during their transitio n from random coil to native structure. The influence of cyclodextrins in the refolding of carbonic anhydrase under aggregating conditions w as studied. Cyclodextrin prevented formation of protein aggregates dur ing renaturation of carbonic anhydrase. In addition, over 90 % of acti ve enzyme was recovered even at protein concentrations as high as 67 m u M The enhanced protein reactivation by cyclodextrins may be due to t heir ability to bind to hydrophobic sites in protein folding intermedi ate(s) followed by their subsequent removal as the protein refolds. (C ) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.