Quantitative evaluation of the ability of ionic liquids to offset the cold-induced unfolding of proteins

Abstract

Significant non-reversible two-state denaturation was observed for proteins such as myoglobin (Mb) and α-chymotrypsin (CT) with decreasing temperature in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ([C₄mim]⁺X⁻) ionic liquids (ILs) with various anions (X⁻). Interestingly, for the first time, ILs having acetate and bromide anions were proven to counteract the cold-induced unfolding of proteins.