Techniques for the detection and quantitative characterization of specific associations and nonspecific intermolecular interactions in concentrated macromolecular solutions

Allen Minton (Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health)

Two types of experiments, based upon nonstandard methods for the measurement of sedimentation equilibrium and static light scattering, have been developed specifically for the purpose of investigating specific and nonspecific intermolecular interactions in solutions containing one or multiple species of macromolecular solute present at arbitrary concentration. Under conditions such that at least one of the macromolecular species is present at high concentration, both specific associations and nonspecific attractive and repulsive interactions between the macromolecules contribute significantly to the observable behavior of the system. We shall describe the experimental procedures, analysis of data obtained from each type of measurement, and models developed to distinguish between specific (saturable) associations and nonspecific (unsaturable) attractive and repulsive intermolecular interactions in such solutions.

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