SMALL-ANGLE SCATTERING STUDIES OF PROTEIN-FOLDING

Small angle scattering experiments can be used to monitor transitions between the folded and denatured states of proteins, or between two different non-native states. These experiments can probe the type of transition, whether two-state or continuous, provide accurate values for the radius of gyration of the states involved, and can signal conformational changes or unusual molecular shapes. The technique is particularly powerful when global changes in size or shape are involved, or when the variety of conformations present precludes the use of crystallography or NMR.