The 6 Parameters You Should Know To Understand Protein Stability

If you want to gain insight into your protein’s structure and function, start by monitoring its stability. Even slight changes to your protein’s architecture or environment can significantly alter its biological activity — for better or for worse. Insights from protein stability analyses improve understanding and outcomes for protein activity, binding partners, kinetics, drug development, and more.

There are lots of questions about stability that help you understand your protein’s behavior. For example: Does the protein unfold at a given pH? Does the presence of certain molecules cause aggregation? What changes to secondary structures cause measurable changes in activity? How can we explain its binding mechanisms? Does a recombinant protein denature before it reaches its target? How will antibody formulations behave at higher concentrations?

With answers to these questions, you can better understand your biologic-based treatments and diagnostics.

Continue reading to learn what stability parameters will help you address questions about the biophysical characteristics of your protein preparations.