Identification and interpretation of complexity in sedimentation velocity boundaries

Biophys J. 1997 Jan;72(1):397-407. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(97)78680-6.

Abstract

Synthetic sedimentation velocity boundaries were generated using finite-element solutions to the original and modified forms of the Lamm equation. Situations modeled included ideal single- and multicomponent samples, concentration-dependent samples, noninteracting multicomponent samples, and reversibly self-associating samples. Synthetic boundaries subsequently were analyzed using the method of van Holde and Weischet, and results were compared against known input parameters. Results indicate that this analytical method provides rigorous diagnostics for virtually every type of sample complexity encountered experimentally. Accordingly, both the power and utility of sedimentation velocity experiments have been significantly expanded.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Diffusion
  • Dimerization
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Software
  • Ultracentrifugation / methods*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Proteins