Journal Article

FZJ-2017-02026

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Kinetics of liquid–liquid phase separation in protein solutions exhibiting LCST phase behavior studied by time-resolved USAXS and VSANS

Da Vela, S. ; Braun, M. K. ; Dörr, A. ; Greco, A. ; Möller, J. ; Fu, Z.FZJ* ; Zhang, F. (Corresponding author) ; Schreiber, F.

2016
Royal Soc. of Chemistry London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/13906  doi:10.1039/C6SM01837H

Abstract: We study the kinetics of the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) and its arrest in protein solutions exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behavior using the combination of ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) and very-small angle neutron scattering (VSANS). We employ a previously established model system consisting of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions with YCl3. We follow the phase transition from sub-second to 104 s upon an off-critical temperature jump. After a temperature jump, the USAXS profiles exhibit a peak that grows in intensity and shifts to lower q values with time. Below 45 °C, the characteristic length scale (ξ) obtained from this scattering peak increases with time with a power of about 1/3 for different sample compositions. This is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction for the intermediate stage of spinodal decomposition where the growth is driven by interface tension. Above 45 °C, ξ follows initially the 1/3 power law growth, then undergoes a significant slowdown, and an arrested state is reached below the denaturation temperature of the protein. This growth kinetics may indicate that the final composition of the protein-rich phase is located close to the high density branch of the LLPS binodal when a kinetically arrested state is reached.

Keyword(s): Polymers, Soft Nano Particles and Proteins (1st) ; Biology (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JCNS-FRM-II (JCNS (München) ; Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS (München) ; JCNS-FRM-II)
2. Streumethoden (JCNS-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G15 - FRM II / MLZ (POF3-6G15) (POF3-6G15)
2. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (POF3-623) (POF3-623)

Experiment(s):

1. KWS-3: Very small angle scattering diffractometer with focusing mirror (NL3auS)

Appears in the scientific report 2017

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Allianz-Lizenz / DFG ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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