THE TERNARY COMPLEXES OF BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN AND POLYACRYLAMIDE DERIVATIVES IN THE PRESENCE OF COPPER IONS IN NEUTRAL WATER

Abstract

The formation of complexes between polyacrylamide which contains a glycine end group and BSA have been studied in neutral water. Water soluble or insoluble complexes are formed when divalent copper ions were added to these solutions. Contacts between protein and polyelectrolyte were achieved via chelate formation in which the copper ion is attached at the center. The solubility of the polycomplexes depends on the protein/polymer ratio. Starting with very low protein concentrations in the system, phase separation takes place. After a critical ratio of the protein/polymer was achieved the mixture exhibited water solubility. The kinetics of the formation of ternary complexes were studied. It was shown that water insoluble complexes are nonequilibrium complexes. A hypothetical structural model for the formation of soluble and insoluble ternary polycomplexes is proposed.