Skip to main content
Log in

Some general aspects regarding the interpretation of binding data by means of a Scatchard plot

  • Published:
Biophysics of structure and mechanism Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The question is quantitatively examined which general information can be obtained from experimental data of ligand binding to macromolecules if represented by a Scatchard plot. In particular, the curvature as well as the intercepts and slopes at both coordinate axes are analyzed assuming rather general conditions including cooperative behavior (with applications to some simplified cases of interest in practice). The results should provide a basis for attempts to elucidate the binding mechanism of a system encountered in experimental work.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Carayon, P., Carella, C.: Evidence for positive cooperativity in antigen-antibody reactions. FEBS-Lett. 40, 13–17 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlquist, F. W.: The quantitative interpretation of maximum in Scatchard plots. FEBS- Lett. 49, 267–268 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Danchin, A.: tRNA structure and binding sites for cations. Biopolymers 11, 1317–1333 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • McGhee, J. D., von Hippel, P. H.: Theoretical aspects of DNA-protein interactions. Co-operative and non-co-operative binding of large ligands to a one-dimensional homogeneous lattice. J. molec. Biol. 86, 469–489 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Monod, J., Wyman, J., Changeux, J.-P.: On the nature of allosteric transitions. A plausible model. J. molec. Biol. 12, 88–118 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scatchard, G.: The attractions of proteins for small molecules and ions. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 51, 660–672 (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, G.: Cooperative binding to linear polymers. 1. Fundamental static and dynamic properties. Europ. J. Biochem. 12, 442–453 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, G.: Results to be published (1975)

  • Sukow, W. W., Sandberg, H. E.: Evidence for cooperative binding of triton X-100 to bovine serum albumin. FEBS-Lett. 42, 36–41 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Holde, K. E.: Physical biochemistry. Englewood Cliffs (N.J.): Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, K. G.: On the interaction of nucleotides with basic polyamino acids. Cooperative binding behavior. Europ. J. Biochem. 10, 261–267 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weder, H. G., Schildknecht, J., Lutz, R. A., Kesselring, P.: Determination of binding parameters from Scatchard plots. Theoretical and practical considerations. Europ. J. Biochem. 42, 475–481 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schwarz, G. Some general aspects regarding the interpretation of binding data by means of a Scatchard plot. Biophys. Struct. Mechanism 2, 1–12 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00535648

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00535648

Key words

Navigation