Analysis of radioligand binding experiments. A collection of computer programs for the IBM PC

It is now well accepted that graphic methods are a poor choice of analytical technique for analyzing radioligand binding data given the complexity of some radioligand-binding sites interactions; this is true not only for studies performed at equilibrium but also for those examining kinetic properties of the radioligand. As a consequence the computer plays an important role in all forms of radioligand binding experiments because it reduces the labor-intensive calculations associated with such experiments and it allows the use of more appropriate weighted nonlinear curve-fitting techniques that more accurately describe the radioligand-binding site interaction. This paper describes a collection of four programs (KINETIC, EBDA, LIGAND, and LOWRY) that can be used to analyze most forms of radioligand binding experiments. The programs have been adapted for use on an IBM PC, which is a popular, inexpensive microcomputer and which is well suited to the analysis of radioligand binding data.