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Titration ELISA as a Method to Determine the Dissociation Constant of Receptor Ligand Interaction
Published on: February 15, 2018
Statistical thermodynamics of the stability of multivalent ligand-receptor complexes
1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Multivalent ligands can form ligand-receptor complexes that are orders of magnitude more stable than their monovalent counterparts. A theory of this "enhancement effect" based on fundamental principles of statistical thermodynamics is presented. A key finding is a simple analytical expression that provides clear and direct insight into the mechanism by which the enhanced stability of the multivalent ligand-receptor complex can be achieved. The theory explains experimental data on the activation of ion channels in the membranes of cells by polymer-linked divalent ligands.
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