title: Correlation and cross-linking effects in imprinting sites for divalent adsorption in gels.
abstract: We examine a method to mimic active sites in proteins by chemical imprinting of p-valent templates in heteropolymer gels. Previous studies have confirmed successful formation of sites by adsorption of targets with p >/= 2 contacts. We investigate the recovery of sites with p = 2 imprinted by lead methacrylate Pb(MAAc)(2) (placing two carboxyl groups in close proximity). The improved binding ability of gels with more cross-links, and the relative insensitivity to changes in gel volume contradict simple theory. We conclude that adsorber pairs are predominantly located on the same polymer chain, posing a challenge to mimicking protein-like function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Kimani A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stancil
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Feld
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kardar
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001665:Binding Sites; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012984:Software; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005782:Gels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D007854:Lead