Thermodynamics of glycophorin A transmembrane helix dimerization in C14 betaine micelles Original Research Article

We have used sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation to measure the free energy change for the glycophorin A transmembrane helix–helix dimerization in C14 betaine micelles. By varying the amount of micellar C14 betaine, we show that the protein association reaction in the micellar C14 phase behaves as an ideal-dilute solution. In this hydrophobic environment, the mole-fraction standard state free energy change for self-association of the SNGpA99 glycophorin A construct is −5.7 (±0.3, N=5) kcal mol−1 at 25 °C. Compared with previous results carried out in C8E5 micellar solutions, the free energy of dimerization is 1.3 kcal mol−1 less favorable in C14 betaine micelles. In contrast, when considered on a per-interface basis, the formation of the glycophorin A transmembrane dimer in C14 betaine micelles may be more favorable than the association of several designed transmembrane peptides.