The pressure-induced unfolding of lysozyme was
investigated in an aqueous guanidinium chloride solution
by means of ultraviolet spectroscopy. Assuming a two-state
transition model, volume changes were calculated from the
slope of free energy vs. pressure plots over a temperature
range of 10 to 60 °C. Between 25 and 60 °C, almost
constant volume changes were observed in the transition
region, which was reflected in almost identical slopes
of the free energy change vs. pressure plots. On the other
hand, the different slopes were observed in the pressure
dependence of free energy change at temperatures lower
than 25 °C. These data were interpreted as suggesting
that a two-state model is not appropriate at low temperature,
but instead one or more intermediates are present under
these conditions. The volume changes for unfolding became
less negative at temperatures higher than 25 °C.