On the determination of association constants of proteins by electrophoresis measurements.

During the electrophoresis of a reversibly associating substance the concentration profile is determined by diffusion, migration and reaction. The influence of the diffusion can be eliminated by extrapolating the concentration profiles, taken at different times and suitably transformed, to infinite time. This leads to a profile which reflects migration and reaction only (Gilbert profile). From this the association constant can be deduced. Preliminary experiments with beta-lactoglobulin A show the feasibility of the method.