Ligand binding reaction thermodynamic information

In most cases these interactions can be regarded as equilibrium reactions governed by the law of mass action. Association constants provide a measure of the affinity of a ligand molecule to a substrate hence the tendency to form associates can be compared on a thermodynamic level. This provides information on the energetics of binding via the following relationship ... 

A fiirther thermodynamic parameter that provides important information to support the analysis of a bimolecular reaction between a ligand and a protein is the change in heat capacity at constant pressure ACp upon complex formation. ACp is of particular interest for the study of interactions that are largely driven by protein, ligand, and solvent hydrogen bond dissociation and formation and describes the temperature dependence of the enthalpy of binding [32]. 

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