Understanding the Biophysical Mechanism of Ranaspumin-2 Surface Activity

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Understanding the Biophysical Mechanism of Ranaspumin-2 Surface Activity

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 18th May 2015
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Ranaspumin-2 (Rsn-2) is a surfactant protein that has been identified as an important component in the foam nests of the tungara frog. It is not immediately obvious structurally, as in the case of other surfactant proteins such as the hydrophobins, how or why Rsn-2 is so surface active. Previous work has suggested that Rsn-2 undergoes an 'un-hinging’ mechanism at the interface, whereby the hydrophobic core of the protein is exposed to the interface whilst keeping its overall secondary structure motifs. In this work we study the interfacial activity of both wild type Rsn-2 and several mutants using both experiment and molecular dynamics simulations. We find the interfacial adsorption of Rsn-2 is described by a 2-step process and identify a mechanism by which the protein undergoes this unusual 'clam shell-like’ structural transition.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

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