Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Effects Of Ionic Liquid Alkyl Chain Length On Denaturation Of Myoglobin By Anionic, Cationic, And Zwitterionic Detergents, Joshua Y. Lee, Katherine M. Selfridge, Eric M. Kohn, Timothy Vaden, Gregory A. Caputo

Faculty Scholarship for the College of Science & Mathematics

The unique electrochemical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) have motivated their use as solvents for organic synthesis and green energy applications. More recently, their potential in pharmaceutical chemistry has prompted investigation into their effects on biomolecules. There is evidence that some ILs can destabilize proteins via a detergent-like manner; however, the mechanism still remains unknown. Our hypothesis is that if ILs are denaturing proteins via a detergent-like mechanism, detergent-mediated protein unfolding should be enhanced in the presence of ILs. The properties of myoglobin was examined in the presence of a zwitterionic (N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylglycine betaine (Empigen BB®, EBB)), cationic (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB)), …