A chaperone-mimetic effect of serum albumin on rhodanese

Reactivation of denatured rhodanese (thiosulfate:cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1) was found to be aided by the presence of serum albumin. Both the rate and the extent of reactivation of the urea-denatured enzyme were optimal at low rhodanese and moderate serum albumin concentrations. Similarly, stabilization of the sulfurtransferase activity of rhodanese that had been partially unfolded at 40 degrees C was aided by the presence of serum albumin. All the observations are in accord with a model in which enzyme that has been partially refolded from the urea-denatured state or partially unfolded thermally interacts directly with serum albumin in a way that prevents rhodanese self-association. Serum albumin thus acts as a molecular chaperone in these systems.