Role of Structural Degradation in the Loss of Serological Activity of Ovalbumin irradiated with Gamma-Rays

Abstract

ALTHOUGH it has long been known that ionizing radiations cause denaturation of proteins, as defined by loss of solubility at the isoelectric point, it is yet not known to what extent denaturation is correlated with the radiation loss of biological function. In addition to the denatured constituents, irradiated proteins such as ovalbumin and hæmoglobin contain a broad band of structurally injured molecules, characterized by their increased thermal lability with respect to denaturation¹. Experiments were performed to establish the part played by these various kinds of structural degradation reactions in the loss of serological activity of ovalbumin irradiated with γ-rays.