Question

You are working with a protein, which is known to exist in an open (O), partially open (P) and closed conformation (C). The closed state is the functional state of the protein. The energy of the three states are Ec--7 kcal/mol, EP -5 kcal/mol and Eo--4 kcal/mol. a) What is the average energy of this protein at 300 K, assuming constant volume? b) Through mutagenesis experiments you have been trying to identity a version of the protein which stabilizes the closed conformation. You have identified 2 mutants, which are promising candidates to have a superstable closed conformation. The mutants have the following energies: Energy Level Ec Mutant 1 -10 kcal/mol -9 kcal/mol -7 kcal/mol Mutant 2 -5 kcal/mol -2 kcal/mol 1 kcal/mol Eo Have you succeeded in increasing the stability(population) of the closed state in these mutants, relative to the closed state of the wild-type (native/original) protein? Which one(s) of the mutations are more stable? Can you explain why that is?

Answer 1

300k li Av --チナ(-) + (-*) than