Thermal stability of protein secondary structure in Langmuir-Blodgett films.

ABSTRACT

The temperature dependence of the secondary structure of photosynthetic reaction centres from Rhodobacter sphaeroides in solution and in Langmuir-Blodgett film was studied by circular dichroism. It was shown that the secondary structure of the protein was not affected in Langmuir-Blodgett films by heating up to 200 degrees C, while in solution it was completely lost at 55 degrees C. Molecular order rather than decreased hydration degree was held responsible.