From: Borries Demeler <demeler@bioc02.uthscsa.edu>
  To  : rasmb@bbri.harvard.edu
  Date: Mon, 10 Jun 1996 19:24:45 -0500 (CDT)

monomer-dimer systems

Hello all,

I am looking for some suggestions. In order to test some of the finite
element models (software) I am working on, I need a well documented 
system of a good monomer-dimer equilibrium to be used as a model system
to test the software.

One of the modules I am currently working on allows me to fit velocity
data to a monomer-dimer model and obtain equilibrium constants as well
as rate constants from velocity data.

Here is what I mean by "good", and what criteria the system needs to meet:

1. A system that doesn't appreciably self-associate above the dimer state
at concentrations useful for UV optics.

2. A system that is well characterized in the literature, and the following
parameters have been established by other means:

	a) the equilibrium constant
	b) the forward (or backward) rate constant (would be nice but not
	   essential)
	c) the s-value of the monomer
	d) the s-value of the dimer (if available)

3. an equilibrium constant that is in the middle, meaning it has to have at 
least 30% of either species at concentrations suitable for UV optics.

4. ideally, the monomer would have a MW between 20kD and 100 kD.

5. it would be nice if the equilibrium could be perturbed by subtle pH
changes or something similar.

6. Finally, the stuff gotta to be cheap and easy to come by. 

I was thinking that maybe some of the DNA nucleases may fit the bill, but
I don't know enough about them. Anybody?

If you can think of a good candidate for this test, send your suggestion
(incl. refs, if you have any) to demeler@bioc02.uthscsa.edu

Thanks!

-Borries

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* Borries Demeler                                                             *
* The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio                *
* Dept. of Biochemistry, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78284-7760 *
* Voice: (210) 567-6592 Fax: (210) 567-6595 Email: demeler@bioc02.uthscsa.edu *
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