title: Ligand binding and detoxication.
abstract: In an organism the binding of a toxic chemical to a binding site can act as a detoxication mechanism when toxicity is a property of the unbound ligand. This qualitative statement has been evaluated in quantitative terms. To this end parameters have been defined for which numerical values are required, equations are derived and a procedure is outlined that allows assessment of when and to what extent binding is of value in detoxication. In the process two new quantities are introduced, i.e. the binding capacity and the binding activity, which make for easier handling and comparison of binding data. It is concluded that to be important in detoxication the numerical value of the binding activity must be greater than unity and the total ligand concentration should not exceed the binding capacity. These general conclusions can be further refined depending on the accuracy with which the values of the parameters involved are known. Due to its generality the results of the analysis are useful in all situations where it is desirable to know the magnitude of the free fraction of a bound chemical.
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D003201:Computers; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D008024:Ligands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands