In general, native proteins are in equilibrium with denatured forms: protein (native) ā protein (denatured). For ribonuclease (a protein), the following concentration data for the two forms were experimentally determined for a total protein concentration of 1.0 Ć 10ā»Ā³ mol Lā»Ā¹:
Temperature (°C) | Native (mol Lā»Ā¹) | Denatured (mol Lā»Ā¹)
50 | 9.97 Ć 10ā»ā“ | 2.57 Ć 10ā»ā¶
100 | 8.6 Ć 10ā»ā“ | 1.4 Ć 10ā»ā“
Determine ĪrH° of the denaturation reaction, assuming it to be independent of temperature.