Fluctuation and linkage relations in macromolecular solution
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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Small and Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies of Biological Macromolecules in Solution
Published on: January 8, 2013
1Chemistry Department, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403.
Abstract:
It is shown in the appendix that the derivatives of the excess free energy of a macromolecule in solution, with respect to the activities of other solution components, lead to fluctuation and linkage relations among these other components. Solution fluctuation theory is used, but it is specialized to the fluctuations and correlations associated with the presence of a macromolecule, and is developed with a modified ensemble. The relations of the appendix are used to analyze the interaction of two solution components, A and B, with the macromolecule and with one another. Three cases are considered: (1) A and B are ligands that bind stoichiometrically to the macromolecule. This case reduces to Wyman's binding polynomial analysis. (2) A and B are two substances at high concentration that interact selectively with the macromolecule. (3) A is a species that binds stoichiometrically to the macromolecule, while B is a component at high concentration that interacts weakly with the macromolecule.
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