Thermodynamics of Binding of 2-Methoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine and 2-Methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine to the Major Urinary Protein.
Bingham, R.J., Findlay, J.B.C., Hsieh, S.-Y., Kalverda, A.P., Kjellberg, A., Perazzolo, C., Phillips, S.E.V., Seshadri, K., Trinh, C.H., Turnbull, W.B., Bodenhausen, G., Homans, S.W.(2004) J Am Chem Soc 126: 1675-1681
- PubMed: 14871097 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ja038461i
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1QY0, 1QY1, 1QY2 - PubMed Abstract: 
In the present study we examine the thermodynamics of binding of two related pyrazine-derived ligands to the major urinary protein, MUP-I, using a combination of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), X-ray crystallography, and NMR backbone (15)N and methyl side-chain (2)H relaxation measurements. Global thermodynamics data derived from ITC indicate that binding is driven by favorable enthalpic contributions, rather than the classical entropy-driven hydrophobic effect. Unfavorable entropic contributions from the protein backbone and side-chain residues in the vicinity of the binding pocket are partially offset by favorable entropic contributions at adjacent positions, suggesting a "conformational relay" mechanism whereby increased rigidity of residues on ligand binding are accompanied by increased conformational freedom of side chains in adjacent positions. The principal driving force governing ligand affinity and specificity can be attributed to solvent-driven enthalpic effects from desolvation of the protein binding pocket.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT Leeds, UK.