title: Mechanical detection of interaction of small specific ligands with proteins and DNA in cross-linked samples.
abstract: Cross-linked crystalline and amorphous films of different proteins and cross-linked DNA gels were found to change their mechanical properties when soaked in solutions of specific ligands at nearly physiological concentrations. This chemomechanical effect may be used to rapidly (within a few minutes) detect the ability of macromolecules to bind small (less than 1 kDa) ligand molecules, to measure concentrations of ligands (higher than 10 nM), and to estimate binding constants (lower than 10(7) M-1). Only 0.1-1 mg of protein or DNA is needed to prepare more than 10 samples sufficient for a large number of tests, provided binding is reversible. The method is recommended for rapid primary screening in search of new drugs, in biochemical studies, and as a basis for designing biosensors and other analytical instruments.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino, Moscow Region.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Morozov
authors.lastname: Morozova TYa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008024:Ligands; D008722:Methods
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D004247:DNA