Force dependency of biochemical reactions measured by single-molecule force-clamp spectroscopy

Nat Protoc. 2013;8(7):1261-76. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2013.056. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Abstract

Here we describe a protocol for using force-clamp spectroscopy to precisely quantify the effect of force on biochemical reactions. A calibrated force is used to control the exposure of reactive sites in a single polyprotein substrate composed of repeated domains. The use of polyproteins allows the identification of successful single-molecule recordings from unambiguous mechanical unfolding fingerprints. Biochemical reactions are then measured directly by detecting the length changes of the substrate held at a constant force. We present the layout of a force-clamp spectrometer along with protocols to design and conduct experiments. These experiments measure reaction kinetics as a function of applied force. We show sample data of the force dependency of two different reactions, protein unfolding and disulfide reduction. These data, which can be acquired in just a few days, reveal mechanistic details of the reactions that currently cannot be resolved by any other technique.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Equipment Design
  • Kinetics
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / instrumentation
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Protein Unfolding*

Substances

  • Disulfides