Ligand binding overview

The above discussion provides only a brief overview of how fluorescence techniques can be used to study the interactions of ligands with their receptors. We have focused on the quantitation of the binding parameters and compared the data with that which may be obtained with those from radiolabelled ligand binding studies. The number of applications of fluorescence in the study of neurochemistry and molecular biology is ever increasing. Outside the scope of this review is, for example, the use of fluorescence microscopy to monitor cell surface expression and targeting of receptors or the use of fluorescence probes to monitor ion transport into and out of cells. 

Figure 3 Overview of the receptor-ligand binding process. All species involved are solvated by water (symbolized by gray spheres). The binding free energy difference between the bound and unbound state is a sum of enthalpic components (breaking and formation of hydrogen bonds, formation of specific hydrophobic contacts), and entropic components (release of water from hydrophobic surfaces to solvent, loss of conformational mobility of receptor and ligand).

Consider next how this general ligand binding argument relates specifically to the Timasheff mechanism for solute-induced protein stabilization and destabilization. Detailed, rigorous reviews of the Timasheff mechanism can be found elsewhere (e.g., [78,79]). For the purpose of the current review a brief summary, which purposely provides only a simplified explanation, will suffice. First, a descriptive overview will be given, followed by an examination in more detail of the most relevant thermodynamic equations. 

Biophysical Methods for Detection of Ligand Binding An Overview. 118... 

A FIGURE 13-1 Overview of seven major classes of cell-surface receptors discussed in this book. In many signaling pathways, ligand binding to a receptor leads to activation of transcription factors in the cytosol, permitting them to translocate into the nucleus and stimulate (or occasionally repress) transcription of their target genes. Alternatively, receptor... 

Dardonville C, Rozas I. Imidazoline binding sites and their ligands an overview of the different chemical structures. Med Res Rev 2004 24 639-661... 

Overview of Molecular Forces Ligand Binding Isothermal Titration Calorimetry... 

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