Time-resolved detection of protein fluctuations during reactions

Abstract

Biological molecules fluctuate at room temperature in solution because of thermal motion not only at the ground state but also during their functions. Why can biological molecules perform selective and efficient reactions in life? A field of "fluctuation and molecular science of biological molecules" can be established to link the relationship between fluctuations and biological reactions, and for that purpose, studies that examine fluctuations and dynamics of biological molecules are essential. To detect protein fluctuations during reactions, we have developed time-resolved methods to measure thermodynamic properties, which are closely related with fluctuations. In this chapter, examples are presented that show enhanced fluctuations of proteins during reactions.