Measuring Buffer-Induced Structural Changes in a Beta-sheet Rich Protein using MMS

In this study, the structural differences of alpha-chymotrpysin, a beta-sheet rich protein, were characterized in water and three common formulation buffers using MMS. Alphachymotrypsin was prepared in HPLC-grade water as a reference, as well as in Phosphate Buffer (PB), Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), and Tris buffer. Absorption spectra in the Amide I region were automatically collected and processed to monitor critical structural components including the beta-sheet content, HOS motif percentages, and to calculate the overall structural similarities between samples in all prepared conditions. The resulting analysis and comparison across all buffer conditions show that alpha-chymotrypsin undergoes buffer-induced structural changes.

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