Biochemistry question If you were to plot delta Gunfolding v

Biochemistry question:

If you were to plot delta G(unfolding) vs. T for a protein would you expect the curve to intersect the axis at T_m. For some proteins, delta G(unfolding) intersects at a second point when T is near 0 Celcius, a phenomenon known as cold denaturations. Propose an explanation for this observation.

Solution

Protein denaturation typically refers to the denaturation at high temperatures, altered pH and the presence of proteases. Protein denaturation also occurs at low temperatures, which is known as “cold denaturation.”

Water is the solvent of many proteins, when the temperature becomes too low, the water molecules enter into the protein, which is facilitated by the outer negative charges on the protein surface, which unfolds the protein. Neutralizing these charges would prevent cold denaturation.