Using Gel Filtration to Study Ligand-Protein Interactions

Using Gel Filtration to Study LIGAND-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS 

Serum albumin circulates in the blood stream transporting essential nutrients such as fatty acids to peripheral tissue. Transported molecules, called ligands, often have a special affinity for selected binding sites on proteins and nucleic acids. In this experiment, the dynamics of ligand-protein interactions will be explored with the binding of the dye phenol red to bovine serum albumin. The technique of gel filtration will be used to separate the dye-protein complex. Data will be analyzed in order to construct binding curves. 

The technique of gel filtration is widely used in biochemical research. Chapter 3 described the theory and applications of gel filtration to the experimental procedures of desalting, separation and purification of biomolecules, and estimation of molecular weight of biomolecules. In this experiment, gel filtration procedures will be used to study the dynamic binding of small molecules by proteins. Many of the dynamic processes occurring in biological cells and organisms are the result of interactions between molecules. Often these interactions involve one or more smaller molecules binding to a macromolecule (usually a protein or nucleic acid). 

You have learned about many types of complex formation between small molecules and proteins in biochemistry class. The action of hormones 

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EXPERIMENT 3 Using Gel Filtration to Study Ligand-Protein Interactions 243... 

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