Direct test of the Gaussian-chain model for treating residual charge-charge interactions in the unfolded state of proteins

The Gaussian-chain model for treating residual charge-charge interactions was critically tested by recent experimental pK(a) results for individual Asp, Glu, and His residues in the unfolded drkN SH3 domain. Predicted pK(a)'s were in good agreement with experiment. The clustering of Asp and Glu residues along the sequence was suggested to limit pK(a) shifts and contribute to the folding stability by destabilizing the unfolded state.