Can a change in relative humidity cause unfolding of proteins inside sealed containers when stored for a long time (say 8 to 12 weeks) at room temperature?
Any insight and/or literature reference will be helpful.
I don't know for sure, but I think yes. I did see that some lyophilized peptides, when taken out of the lyophilizer in cold conditions, adsorb humidity and change a bit their FTIR spectra (and have higher beta-sheet presence). in order to avoid it before each experiment I dissolve the peptide in HFIP which breaks all H-bonds and completely unfolds it, and then dry it in evaporator.