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Recent Applications of Kirkwood–Buff Theory to Biological Systems

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Abstract

The effect of cosolvents on biomolecular equilibria has traditionally been rationalized using simple binding models. More recently, a renewed interest in the use of Kirkwood–Buff (KB) theory to analyze solution mixtures has provided new information on the effects of osmolytes and denaturants and their interactions with biomolecules. Here we review the status of KB theory as applied to biological systems. In particular, the existing models of denaturation are analyzed in terms of KB theory, and the use of KB theory to interpret computer simulation data for these systems is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

PES would like to thank Monte Pettitt, John Schellman, and an anonymous referee for valuable comments on the manuscript. The project described was supported by Grant Number R01GM079277 from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences or the National Institutes of Health.

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  1. Mahalaxmi Aburi

    Present address: Center for Molecular Recognition, Building for Physicians & Surgeons 11-401, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, 111 Willard Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506-3701, USA

    Veronica Pierce, Myungshim Kang, Mahalaxmi Aburi, Samantha Weerasinghe & Paul E. Smith

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, Colombo, 00300, Sri Lanka

    Samantha Weerasinghe

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  1. Veronica Pierce
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Correspondence to Paul E. Smith.

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Pierce, V., Kang, M., Aburi, M. et al. Recent Applications of Kirkwood–Buff Theory to Biological Systems. Cell Biochem Biophys 50, 1–22 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-007-9005-0

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