Functional Application Areas

Non-Biological Interactions

There are many important chemical reactions which involve other types of molecules. These can include:

  • Drug-metal binding
  • Drug-drug binding
  • Ion-ion binding
  • Cyclodextrin-guest binding
  • Interactions with polymers
  • Interactions with Nanoparticles

The complete characterization of any binding interaction requires a quantification of the affinity, number of binding sites, and the thermodynamics. 

Thermodynamic data, specifically enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS), reveal the forces that drive complex formation and mechanism of action. Thermodynamics provide information on conformational changes, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and charge-charge interactions.  This information is used to describe the function and mechanism at a molecular level. 

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) is a powerful analytical tool which measures the binding affinity and thermodynamics between any two biomolecules. ITC is considered the “gold standard” assay for binding.

References

A supramolecular complex between proteinases and beta-cyclodextrin that preserves enzymatic activity: physicochemical characterization.
Denadai A. M., Santoro M. M., Lopes M. T., Chenna A., de Sousa F. B., Avelar G. M., Gomes M. R., Guzman F., Salas C. E., and Sinisterra R. D.
BioDrugs 20, 283-291 (2006)

Novel pharmaceutical composition of bradykinin potentiating penta peptide with beta-cyclodextrin: physical-chemical characterization and anti-hypertensive evaluation.
Denadai A. M., Ianzer D., Alcantara A. F., Santoro M. M., Santos C. F., Lula I. S., de Camargo A. C., Faljoni-Alario A., dos Santos R. A. and Sinisterra R. D.
Int J Pharm. 336, 90-98 (2007)

Isothermal titration calorimetry of supramolecular polymers.
Arnaud A. and Bouteiller L.
Langmuir 20, 6858-6863 (2004)

Understanding the nanoparticle-protein corona using methods to quantify exchange rates and affinities of proteins for nanoparticles.
Cedervall T., Lynch I., Lindman S., Berggard T., Thulin E., Nilsson H., Dawson K. A. and Linse S.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U. S. A 104, 2050-2055 (2007)

Complex formation between the anionic polymer (PAA) and a cationic drug (procaine HCI): characterization by microcalorimetric studies.
Govender T., Ehtezazi T., Stolnik S., Illum L., and Davis S. S.  
Pharm Res 16, 1125-1131 (1999)

Isothermal titration calorimetry study of pectin-ionic surfactant interactions.
McClements D. J.
J Agric Food Chem 48, 5604-5611 (2000)

Additivity and the physical basis of multivalency effects: a thermodynamic investigation of the calcium EDTA interaction.
Christensen T., Gooden D. M., Kung J. E., and Toone E. J.
J Am Chem Soc 125, 7357-7366 (2003)

Thermodynamics of ethyl p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene pentanoate and its cation complexes in nonaqueous media.
de Namor A. F. and Zegarra-Fernandez K.
J Phys. Chem B 111, 7321-7330 (2007)

Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction contributions to the interaction of a cationic drug with polyaspartic acid.
Ehtezazi T., Govender T., and Stolnik S.
Pharm Res 17, 871-878 (2000)

ITC – Small-Molecule-Small Molecule, Non-Biological Interactions Reference List

ITC – Carbohydrate-Small Molecule Interactions Reference List

ITC – Cyclodextrin-Guest Interactions Reference List

ITC – Polymer Interactions Reference List

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