Dissecting the Hydrophobic Effect on the Molecular Level: The Role of Water, Enthalpy, and Entropy in Ligand Binding to Thermolysin

Abstract

The hydrophobic effect is associated with the successive replacement of water molecules in the binding site of a protein by hydrophobic groups of the ligand. Although the hydrophobic effect is assumed to be entropy-driven, large changes in enthalpy and entropy are observed with the model system thermolysin. Structural changes in the binding features of the water molecules ultimately determine the thermodynamics of the hydrophobic effect. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.