Will Enzyme Inactivation During Sample Storage Affect the Accuracy of Secondary Structure Determination?
Measuring the secondary structure of an enzyme primarily involves analyzing its protein conformation. Enzymatic activity and protein structure are closely correlated; the structural integrity of the enzyme defines the configuration and properties of the active site, which is essential for substrate recognition and catalytic function.
Enzyme inactivation is commonly associated with structural alterations. Denaturation may occur upon exposure to adverse external conditions such as elevated temperature, pH fluctuations, or organic solvents, leading to modifications of the active site and consequent loss of enzymatic activity.
If the enzyme is not maintained under appropriate storage conditions (e.g., controlled temperature, stable pH, protection from contaminants) during the week prior to analysis, a decline or complete loss of activity may occur. Such changes in activity often coincide with conformational instability, potentially compromising the accuracy of secondary structure assessment.
Therefore, if the enzyme exhibits reduced activity or becomes inactivated during the pre-analysis storage period, it is highly probable that structural alterations at the secondary level will also occur, thus affecting the reliability of the measurement results.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
Related Services
How to order?
