Protein-ligand interactions, factors affecting

Some of the changes in conditions that could have an adverse effect on the metal-ligand interactions and also lead to denaturation of proteins have already been discussed above. It is therefore essential that especially during the pre-treatment and storage steps changes in these parameters are kept to a minimum. Other factors that may affect the molecular configuration and hence cause the denaturation of biological molecules, have been reviewed by Kauzmann (1959), and Volkin Klibanov (1989). 

As elucidated from the adsorption experiment on BSA, adsorption of gallium ion by simple ion-exchange effect is negligible. The characteristics of metal ions such as ionic radius and hardness/softness, and the conformation of the metallothionein probably affect the selectivity of metal adsorption. The understanding of the mutual interactions among those factors would be a key dictor in designing the protein-based ligand suitable for a specific metal ion. 

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