Adhesion forces between protein layers studied by means of atomic force microscopy.
Adhesion forces between different protein layers adsorbed on different substrates in aqueous media have been measured by means of an atomic force microscope using the colloid probe technique. The effects of the loading force, the salt concentration and pH of the medium, and the electrolyte type on the strength, the pull-off distance, and the separation energy of such adhesion forces have been analyzed in depth. Two very different proteins (bovine serum albumin and apoferritin) and two dissimilar substrates (silica and polystyrene) were used in the experiments. The results clearly point out a very important contribution of the electrostatic interactions in the adhesion between protein layers.
Valle-Delgado
J J
JJ
Biocolloid and Fluid Physics Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Molina-Bolívar
J A
JA
Galisteo-González
F
F
Gálvez-Ruiz
M J
MJ
Feiler
A
A
Rutland
M W
MW
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D002417:Cattle; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry*; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002122:Calcium Chloride