Abstract
Integrating single molecule force spectroscopy with fluorescence-based techniques allows the manipulation of an enzyme with a periodic stretching and relaxation protocol while simultaneously monitoring its catalytic activity. After releasing the stretching force we observe a higher probability for enzymatic activity at a time of 1. 7 s. A detailed theoretical analysis reveals that the relaxation from the force-induced enzyme conformation to the observed active conformation follows a cascade reaction with several steps and a free energy difference of at least 8 kBT. Our study clearly points out the direct influence of force on enzymatic activity and opens up a new way to study and manipulate (bio)catalytic reactions at the single molecule level.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3290-3295 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Nano letters |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 9 2009 |