Hydrogen-deuterium Exchange Kinetics Research Articles

Helix 11 Dynamics Is Critical for Constitutive Androstane Receptor Activity

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) transactivation can occur in the absence of exogenous ligand and this activity is enhanced by agonists TCPOBOP and meclizine. We use biophysical and cell-based assays to show that increased activity of CAR(TCPOBOP) relative to CAR(meclizine) corresponds to a higher affinity of CAR(TCPOBOP) for the steroid receptor coactivator-1. Additionally, steady-state fluorescence spectra suggest conformational differences between CAR(TCPOBOP):RXR and CAR(meclizine):RXR. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) data indicate that the CAR activation function 2 (AF-2) is more stable in CAR(TCPOBOP):RXR and CAR(meclizine):RXR than in CAR:RXR. HDX kinetics also show significant differences between CAR(TCPOBOP):RXR and CAR(meclizine):RXR. Unlike CAR(meclizine):RXR, CAR(TCPOBOP):RXR shows a higher overall stabilization that extends into RXR. We identify residues 339-345 in CAR as an allosteric regulatory site with a greater magnitude reduction in exchange kinetics in CAR(TCPOBOP):RXR than CAR(meclizine):RXR. Accordingly, assays with mutations on CAR at leucine-340 and leucine-343 confirm this region as an important determinant of CAR activity.

Measuring hydrogen–deuterium exchange in protein monolayers

AbstractA Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy assay to measure hydrogen–deuterium exchange (HDX) in surface‐adsorbed protein monolayers is developed to provide information on protein tertiary structure, because the typical secondary structural analysis of our surface and solution protein samples proved to be very similar. Adsorbed protein HDX is quantified by exposing the protein to a 50% deuterated NaPO4 buffer solution and then measuring the normalized intensity change of the amide II band in the FTIR reflection spectrum. When collected as a function of exchange time, this intensity follows the kinetics of the exposure of the protein amides to solvent. HDX kinetics have been obtained for bovine serum albumin (BSA) in solution and adsorbed to gold surfaces. Using experiments designed to allow comparisons between protein in solution and on surfaces, the extent of HDX was found to increase over that observed for BSA in solution, consistent with an increase in the exposure of albumin amide groups and protein unfolding upon adsorption. We also show that BSA adsorbs to the surface of gold in multilayers and that the increase in amide exposure is present only in the first adsorbed monolayer. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Unique Ligand Binding Patterns between Estrogen Receptor α and β Revealed by Hydrogen−Deuterium Exchange

Here we present the use of hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry in analyzing the estrogen receptor beta ligand binding domain (ERbeta LBD) in the absence and presence of a variety of chemical compounds with different binding modes and pharmacological properties. Previously, we reported the use of HDX as a method for predicting the tissue selectivity of ERalpha ligands. HDX profiles of ERalpha LBD in complex with ligand could differentiate compounds of the same chemotype. In contrast, similar analysis of ERbeta LBD showed correlation to the compound chemical structures but little correlation with compound tissue selectivity. The different HDX patterns observed for ERbeta LBD when compared to those for ERalpha LBD bound to the same chemical compounds serve as an indication that ERbeta LBD undergoes a different structural response to the same ligand when compared to ERalpha LBD. The conformational dynamics revealed by HDX for ERbeta LBD together with those for ERalpha LBD shed light on ER ligand interactions and offer new structural insights. The compound-specific perturbations in HDX kinetics observed for each of the two isoforms should aid the development of subtype-selective ER ligands.

Redox-Dependent Dynamics in Cytochrome P450cam

Local protein backbone dynamics of the camphor hydroxylase cytochrome P450(cam) (CYP101) depend upon the oxidation and ligation state of the heme iron. (1)H-(15)N correlation nuclear magnetic resonance experiments were used to compare backbone dynamics of oxidized and reduced forms of this 414-residue metalloenzyme via hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics (H-D exchange) and (15)N relaxation measurements, and these results are compared with previously published results obtained by H-D exchange mass spectrometry. In general, the reduced enzyme exhibits lower-amplitude motions of secondary structural features than the oxidized enzyme on all of the time scales accessible to these experiments, and these differences are more pronounced in regions of the enzyme involved in substrate access to the active site (B' helix and beta3 and beta5 sheets) and binding of putidaredoxin (C and L helices), the iron-sulfur protein that acts as the effector and reductant of CYP101 in vivo. These results are interpreted in terms of local structural effects of changes in the heme oxidation state, and the relevance of the observed effects to the enzyme mechanism is discussed.

Enzyme conformational dynamics during catalysis and in the ‘resting state’ monitored by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

This work reports the use of electrospray mass spectrometry for studying the conformational dynamics of enzymes by amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) measurements. A rapid-mixing quench-flow approach allows comparisons to be made between the HDX kinetics of free enzymes with those under steady-state conditions. Experiments carried out on carboxypeptidase B in the absence of substrate and in the presence of saturating concentrations of hippuryl-Arg result in HDX kinetics that are indistinguishable. This finding implies that the conformational dynamics that mediate HDX are not significantly different in the resting state of the enzyme and during substrate turnover.

Pulsed Hydrogen Exchange and Electrospray Charge-State Distribution as Complementary Probes of Protein Structure in Kinetic Experiments: Implications for Ubiquitin Folding

The possible involvement of "hidden" kinetic intermediates in the apparent two-state folding of some proteins is currently a matter of debate. This study uses time-resolved electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry with on-line pulsed hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) for monitoring the refolding of acid/methanol-denatured ubiquitin. It is demonstrated that the ESI charge-state distribution (CSD) and the extent of HDX represent nonredundant probes of the protein structure in solution. When considered in isolation, the data provided by both of these probes are consistent with a two-state behavior, involving only denatured ubiquitin D and refolded protein F. However, a careful comparison of the CSD and HDX kinetics reveals the presence of an additional species, exhibiting a CSD like the folded protein but showing non-native HDX characteristics. This kinetic intermediate, D*, is in rapid equilibrium with D, such that the overall reaction is consistent with the mechanism D <--> D* --> F. The results of this work suggest that the occurrence of transient intermediates may be more widespread than commonly thought, especially in cases where a cursory analysis indicates two-state behavior.

Conformational dynamics of partially denatured myoglobin studied by time-resolved electrospray mass spectrometry with online hydrogen-deuterium exchange.

This study demonstrates the use of electrospray mass spectrometry in conjunction with rapid online mixing ("time-resolved" ESI-MS) for monitoring protein conformational dynamics under equilibrium conditions. The hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) kinetics of mildly denatured myoglobin (Mb) at pD 9.3, in the presence of 27% acetonitrile, were studied with millisecond time resolution. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicates that the average protein compactness under these solvent conditions is similar to that of native holomyoglobin (hMb). The mass spectrum shows protein ions in a wide array of charge and heme binding states, indicating the presence of multiple coexisting conformations. The experimental approach used allows the HDX kinetics of all of these species to be monitored separately. A combination of EX1 and EX2 behavior was observed for hMb ions in charge states 7+ to 9+, which predominantly represent nativelike hMb in solution. The EX1 kinetics are biphasic, indicating the presence of two protein populations that undergo conformational opening events with different rate constants. The EX2 kinetics observed for nativelike hMb are biphasic as well. All other charge and heme binding states represent non-native protein conformations that are involved in rapid interconversion processes, thus leading to monoexponential EX2 kinetics with a common rate constant. Burst phase labeling for these non-native proteins occurs at 125 sites. In contrast, the nativelike protein conformation shows burst phase labeling only for 88 sites. A kinetic model is developed which is based on the assumption of three distinct (un)folding units in Mb. The model implies that the free energy landscape of the protein exhibits a major barrier. The crossing of this barrier is most likely associated with slow, cooperative opening/closing events of the heme binding pocket. Rapid conformational fluctuations on either side of the barrier give rise to the observed EX2 kinetics. Simulated HDX kinetics based on this model are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.

Study of Amide-proton Exchange of Escherichia coliMelibiose Permease by Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURE MODULATION BY SUBSTRATE BINDING

The accessibility of Escherichia coli melibiose permease to aqueous solvent was studied following hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics monitored by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy under four distinct conditions where MelB forms different complexes with its substrates (H(+), Na(+), melibiose). Analysis of the amide II band upon (2)H(2)O exposure discloses a significant sugar protection of the protein against aqueous solvent, resulting in an 8% less exchange of the corresponding H(+)*melibiose*MelB complex compared with the protein in the absence of sugar. Investigation of the amide I exchange reveals clear substrate effects on beta-sheet accessibility, with the complex H(+)*melibiose*MelB being the most protected state against exchange, followed by Na(+)*melibiose*MelB. Although of smaller magnitude, similar changes in alpha-helices plus non-ordered structures are detected. Finally, no differences are observed when analyzing reverse turn structures. The results suggest that sugar binding induces a remarkable compactness of the carrier's structure, affecting mainly beta-sheet domains of the transporter, which, according to secondary structure predictions, may include cytoplasmic loops 4-5 and 10-11. A possible catalytic role of these two loops in the functioning of MelB is hypothesized.

Study of the structural stability of the mini‐hairpin d(GCGAAGC) by hydrogen–deuterium exchange kinetics

In order to protect them against enzymatic attack of serum in the antisense strategy, oligodeoxyribonucleotides can be protected on their 3′-side by the sequence d(GCGAAGC), which spontaneously forms a hairpin known for its extraordinary stability with regard to thermal denaturation or nuclease degradation. It is stabilized through two GC base pairs and a non-Watson–Crick Genbond A pair. Its proton exchange half-time as determined by resonance Raman spectroscopy is 6 days, which suggests a drastically more stable structure than that of the already very rigid canonical Z-DNA form. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Study of the structural stability of the mini-hairpin d(GCGAAGC) by hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics

Study of the structural stability of the mini-hairpin d(GCGAAGC) by hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics

Characterization of Low-Salt and High-Salt Conformation of Poly(dI-dC) by Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Kinetics: A Classical Raman Spectroscopy Study

Poly(dI-dC) in H2O and D2O solution can undergo different equilibrium geometries which strongly depend on the salt nature and concentration. These structures were studied by classical Raman spectroscopy in order to monitor a hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics in 8- CH group in inosine. Spectral and isotopic exchange rate changes depending on NaCl concentration were observed and interpreted on the basis of previously obtained results from resonance and classical Raman spectroscopy studies of poly(dI-dC) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange measurements of different conformations of nucleic acids. It is shown that: i) the Raman spectrum of low-salt poly(dI-dC) corresponds to the right-handed polymer with characteristic bands for B conformation, but the value of the retardation factor of isotopic exchange suggests that this form is not a pure canonical B form and that it contains some portion of the A form, ii) the Raman spectrum of the high-salt poly(dI-dC) corresponds to the right-handed polymer with characteristic bands for both the A and B conformations, iii) the retardation factor of hydrogen deuterium exchange for the high-salt form of poly(dI-dC) is essentially higher than in the low-salt form which indicates a dominant presence of the A form in the high-salt conformation of poly(dI-dC). This leads to the conclusion that the high-salt conformation of poly(dI-dC) is a mixture of A and B forms with the predominant A form.

A hairpin conformation for the 3′ overhang of Oxytricha nova telomeric DNA 1,2

The solution secondary structure of the Oxytricha nova telomeric 3′ overhang, d(T 4G 4) 2, has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy, hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics and gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic mobility of d(T 4G 4) 2 in non-denaturing gels indicates a highly compact conformation, consistent with a hairpin secondary structure. Raman markers show that the d(T 4G 4) 2 hairpin contains equal numbers of C2′- endo/syn and C2′- endo/anti deoxyguanosine conformers, as well as G·G base-pairs of the Hoogsteen type. The hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics of d(T 4G 4) 2, monitored by time-resolved Raman spectroscopy, reveal two kinetically distinct classes of guanine imino (N1H) protons. The more slowly exchanging fraction ( k N1H (1) = 4.6 × 10 −3 min −1), which represents 50% of N1H groups, is attributed to Hoogsteen-paired residues. The more rapidly exchanging fraction ( k N1H (2) ⩾ 0.3 min −1) is attributable to solvent-exposed residues. Raman dynamic probe of the kinetics of guanine C8H → C8 2H exchange in d(T 4G 4) 2 reveals modest retardation vis-à-vis dGMP, which rules out quadruplex formation by the telomeric repeat and confirms an ordered secondary structure consistent with a Hoogsteen-paired hairpin. Similar Raman, hydrogen-isotope exchange and electrophoretic mobility experiments on the related telomeric model, dT 6(T 4G 4) 2, also reveal a hairpin stabilized by Hoogsteen G·G pairs. Presence of the 5′ thymidine tail preceding the Oxytricha telomeric repeat has no apparent effect on the hairpin secondary structure. We propose a molecular model for the hairpin conformation of the Oxytricha nova telomeric repeat and consider its possible roles in mechanisms of telomeric DNA interaction in vitro and telomere function in vivo.

Conformational stability of ribonuclease T1 determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange.

The hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics of 37 backbone amide residues in RNase T1 have been monitored at 25, 40, 45, and 50 degrees C at pD 5.6 and at 40 and 45 degrees C at pD 6.6. The hydrogen exchange rate constants of the hydrogen-bonded residues varied over eight orders of magnitude at 25 degrees C with 13 residues showing exchange rates consistent with exchange occurring as a result of global unfolding. These residues are located in strands 2-4 of the central beta-pleated sheet. The residues located in the alpha-helix and the remaining strands of the beta-sheet exhibited exchange behaviors consistent with exchange occurring due to local structural fluctuations. For several residues at 25 degrees C, the global free energy change calculated from the hydrogen exchange data was over 2 kcal/mol greater than the free energy of unfolding determined from urea denaturation experiments. The number of residues showing this unexpected behavior was found to increase with temperature. This apparent inconsistency can be explained quantitatively if the cis-trans isomerization of the two cis prolines, Pro-39 and Pro-55, is taken into account. The cis-trans isomerization equilibrium calculated from kinetic data indicates the free energy of the unfolded state will be 2.6 kcal/mol higher at 25 degrees C when the two prolines are cis rather than trans (Mayr LM, Odefey CO, Schutkowski M, Schmid FX. 1996. Kinetic analysis of the unfolding and refolding of ribonuclease T1 by a stopped-flow double-mixing technique. Biochemistry 35: 5550-5561). The hydrogen exchange results are consistent with the most slowly exchanging hydrogens exchanging from a globally higher free energy unfolded state in which Pro-55 and Pro-39 are still predominantly in the cis conformation. When the conformational stabilities determined by hydrogen exchange are corrected for the proline isomerization equilibrium, the results are in excellent agreement with those from an analysis of urea denaturation curves.

Desensitization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mainly involves a structural change in solvent-accessible regions of the polypeptide backbone.

The difference between infrared spectra of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) recorded using the attenuated total reflectance technique in the presence and absence of carbamylcholine exhibits a complex pattern of positive and negative bands that provides a spectral map of the structural changes that occur in the nAChR upon agonist binding and subsequent desensitization. Two relatively intense bands are observed in the amide I region of the difference spectra recorded in 1H2O buffer near 1655 cm(-1) and 1620 cm(-1) that were previously interpreted in terms of either a net conversion of beta-sheet to alpha-helix or a reorientation of transmembrane alpha-helix accompanied by a change in structure of beta-sheet and/or turn [Baenziger, J. E., Miller, K. W., & Rothschild, K. J. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 5448-5454]. However, difference spectra recorded in 2H2O buffer reveal that these and other difference bands in the amide I region undergo downshifts in frequency upon peptide 1H/2H exchange that are much larger than the downshifts in frequency that are typically observed for the amide I vibrations of either alpha-helix or beta-sheet. Difference spectra recorded in 2H2O buffer within either minutes or hours of prior exposure of the nAChR to 2H2O exhibit the same amide I difference band shifts that are observed in difference spectra recorded after 3 days prior exposure of the nAChR to 2H2O. Most of the peptides that are involved in both ligand binding and the resting to desensitized conformational change and that give rise to bands in the difference spectra therefore exchange their hydrogens for deuterium on the seconds to minutes time scale. The frequencies of the difference bands, the magnitudes of the difference band shifts upon peptide 1H/2H exchange, and the rapidity of the hydrogen deuterium exchange kinetics of those structures that give rise to amide I bands in the difference spectra all suggest that the formation of a channel-inactive desensitized state results predominantly from a conformational change in solvent-accessible extramembranous regions of the polypeptide backbone as opposed to a large structural perturbation near the ion channel gate. A conformational change in the agonist binding site may be primarily responsible for channel inactivation upon desensitization.

Structure, Interactions and Dynamics of PRD1Virus II. Organization of the Viral Membrane and DNA

Structure, dynamics and stability of the membrane and double-stranded (ds) DNA genome packaged within the native PRD1virion have been probed by laser Raman spectroscopy. The Raman signature of PRD1is complex, but exhibits distinctive marker bands diagnostic of the internal lipid bilayer and dsDNA. The Raman markers demonstrate, respectively, a liquid crystalline lipid phase (L α) and a BDNA conformation throughout the temperature range (5°C to 50°C) of virion stability. Despite the absence of large scale lipid phase transitions or DNA melting, small temperature- dependent changes in the Raman markers of lipid and DNA are detected, indicating coupling between their structures. Minor deviations of DNA from the canonical Bform are imposed by the membrane. The Raman markers indicate further that base stacking and phosphate group interactions of the packaged PRD1genome differ from those of unpackaged PRD1DNA. Specific Raman band perturbations are proposed as indicators of DNA – membrane interaction. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics of packaged and unpackaged PRD1DNA are indistinguishable, demonstrat ing that base imino and amino protons are not affected significantly by either the condensation or membrane enclosure associated with DNA packaging. This contrasts with the significant acceleration of base exchanges detected in the packaged DNA of bacteriophage P22, which lacks a viral membrane. The distinctive H→ 2H exchange profile of the PRD1genome, the absence of packaging-induced acceleration of exchange kinetics and the apparent direct interaction between DNA and phospholipids suggest a specific role for the viral membrane in PRD1assembly. We propose a "membrane-surface-catalyzed" model for dsDNA condensation and organization within the PRD1virion.

Local Perturbations by Ligand Binding of Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Kinetics in a Four-helix Bundle Protein, Acyl Coenzyme A Binding Protein (ACBP)

Amide hydrogen exchange kinetics of the individual amides in a four-helix bundle protein, acyl-coenzyme A binding protein, have been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The kinetics of amides with exchange rate constants in the range of 10 2.5to 10 6.5S 1at pH 6.65 in free protein and the ligand-protein complex have been measured, and the effect of binding the ligand, palmitoyl-coenzyme A, on individual exchange rates has been analysed. Specific correlations between exchange kinetics and the structural properties of the individual amides known from the three-dimensional structure of acyl-coenzyme A binding protein have been examined. Furthermore, an analysis has been performed comparing the structural perturbations of the protein-ligand interactions known from the three dimensional structure of the complex of palmitoyl-coenzyme A and acyl-coenzyme A binding protein with the ligand-induced perturbations on the amides exchange kinetics. Finally, the ligand-induced perturbations on hydrogen exchange have been compared with those on 15N relaxation. The results suggest that hydrogen exchange kinetics in the individual sites of acyl-coenzyme A binding protein are primarily determined by local structural features; they show that ligand binding gives rise mainly to changes localized at the sites of interaction between protein and ligand; they imply that the perturbation of exchange kinetics caused by ligation can be either, as in one example a local stabilisation of the pre-exchange equilibrium induced by formation of a hydrogen bond, or as seen here in several examples a reduction of the dynamic processes that lead to the opening and closing processes of the pre-exchange equilibrium. The results seem not to indicate changes in the rate of the final chemical exchange step. f2 f2 Abbreviations used: ACBP, acyl coenzyme A binding protein; CoA, coenzyme A; C12, chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 from barley; ESI-MS, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; GuHCl, guanidine hydrochloride; HSQC, heteronuclear single quantum coherence; n.m.r., nuclear magnetic resonance; p.p.m., parts per million; TPPI, time proportional phase incrementation.

The solution structure and conformational dynamics of tumor necrosis factor-α and a (Cys69 – Asp; Cys101 – Arg) analog as examined by IR spectroscopy and hydrogen exchange

An analog of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was created with Cys69 and Cys101 replaced with Asp and Arg respectively. We have undertaken a comparative study of the solution conformation and dynamics of the native and analog molecules using a combination of Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and hydrogen-deuterium (H-D) exchange kinetics. IR spectroscopic results indicate that the analog molecule adopts a gross structure similar to that of the native molecule but significant differences in the conformation of the beta-sheets are observed. Increased bandwidths observed for several of the amide I components also suggest a less rigid structure for the analog molecule. Further, by monitoring the frequency shifts of the individual amide I component bands as a function of hydrogen exchange, we have enhanced our ability to assign these components to individual protein secondary structures, particularly the high frequency beta-strand mode. Hydrogen exchange kinetic studies indicate that the Asp-Arg analog adopts a looser, more flexible solution structure relative to the natural sequence molecule.

Kinetics of exchangeable protons in Z DNA: a UV reaonance Raman study

We have studied the hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics of the exchangeable protons of the poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in the Z form of the polymer, using resonance Raman spectroscopy with 257 nm and 284 nm excitation wavelengths. In our experimental conditions (4.5 M NaCl, phosphate buffer pH7, 2 degrees C) the two amino protons and the imino proton of guanine are exchanged with the same exchange half-time of 13 min, whereas the two amino protons of cytosine are exchanged with the same exchange half-time of 51 min.

Characterization of individual tryptophan side chains in proteins using Raman spectroscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics.

Two Raman bands at 880 and 1360 cm-1 of tryptophan (Trp) side chains have been found useful in structural studies of the side chains in proteins. The frequency of the 880-cm-1 band reflects the strength of H bonding at the N1H site of the indole ring: the lower the frequency is, the stronger the H bonding is. The intensity of the 1360-cm-1 band, on the other hand, is a marker of the hydrophobicity of the environment of the indole ring: particularly strong in hydrophobic environments. It is also demonstrated that a combination of stepwise deuteration of the tryptophan side chains and difference spectrum techniques is useful to observe these marker bands due to each side chain separately. The states of six tryptophans in lysozyme revealed by this Raman spectroscopic method in solution are compared with those by X-ray diffraction in crystal. The Raman data on the outer four Trp's are consistent with the X-ray structure, whereas significant differences between solution and crystal are suggested for the strength of H bonding of the most and second most buried Trp's. Characterization of four Trp's in alpha-lactalbumin shows that the two outer Trp's are moderately H bonded to solvent water and closely surrounded by aliphatic side chains while the inner two are not H bonded nor closely surrounded by aliphatic side chains.

Hydrogen-exchange kinetics of the indole NH proton of the buried tryptophan in the constant fragment of the immunoglobulin light chain.

The constant fragment of the immunoglobulin light chain (type lambda) has two tryptophyl residues at positions 150 and 187. Trp-150 is buried in the interior, and Trp-187 lies on the surface of the molecule. The hydrogen-deuterium exchange kinetics of the indole NH proton of Trp-150 were studied at various pH values at 25 degrees C by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. Exchange rates were approximately first order in hydroxyl ion dependence above pH 8, were relatively independent of pH between pH 7 and 8, and decreased below pH 7. On the assumption that the exchange above pH 8 proceeds through local fluctuations of the protein molecule, the exchange rates between pH 7 and 8 through global unfolding were estimated. The exchange rate constant within this pH range at 25 degrees C thus estimated was consistent with that of the global unfolding of the constant fragment under the same conditions as those reported previously [Kikuchi, H., Goto, Y., & Hamaguchi, K. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 2009-2013]. The activation energy for the exchange process at pH 7.8 was the same as that for the unfolding process by 2 M guanidine hydrochloride. The exchange rates of backbone NH protons were almost the same as that of the indole NH proton of Trp-150 at pH 7.1. These observations also indicated that the exchange between pH 7 and 8 occurs through global unfolding of the protein molecule and is rate-limited by the unfolding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)