JBC, Vol. 254, Issue 2, 367-370, Jan, 1979
Determination of the apparent thermodynamic activities of saturated protein solutions
C. R. Middaugh, W. A. Tisel, R. N. Haire and A. Rosenberg
Although the solubility of a protein is a particularly informative solution
parameter, little is known about the thermodynamics of protein
solubilization. In these experiments, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to
decrease the solubility of a number of proteins in a quantifiable manner.
Simple thermodynamic considerations show that if the chemical potential of
the PEG-induced solid phase is constant and plots of log protein solubility
versus PEG concentration are linear, a valid extrapolation of the apparent
solubility to zero PEG content can be made. Given the validity of these
assumptions, extrapolated values should represent the activity of the
protein in saturated solution. Evidence for the validity of this
extrapolation includes (a) the experimentally observed linearity of log
solubility versus PEG concentration plots, (b) the extrapolation of such
plots to correct activities in the situation where protein activities can
be experimentally determined, and (c) the independence of the extrapolated
activities on protein concentration over a wide range. The utility of the
PEG-determined activities, when applied in a comparative manner, is
illustrated by application to various hemoglobin solutions. It is found
that saturated solutions of the various hemoglobin forms, with the
exception of deoxyhemoglobin S, manifest similar activities. In addition,
all of the solutions demonstrate an apparent, surprising thermodynamic
ideality.