The problem of partial competition in the quantitative characterization of interactions by competitive binding assays.

Abstract

Binding expressions are derived and analytical procedures developed for the quantitative characterization of inhibitor binding that is only partially competitive with the interaction between an acceptor and the ligand that is being monitored. Two such situations are considered: (i) that in which the partial competition reflects binding of inhibitor to fewer acceptor sites than available to ligand; and (ii) that in which the partial competition reflects binding of inhibitor to acceptor sites in addition to those occupiable by ligand. The potential efficacy of the suggested analyses is then explored by their application to simulated data that span the likely range of experimental behavior. Qua..