Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.
Theoretical and empirical plot of % mutant the log of yield.
Predictions were made with Eq. (1), supposing that the stoichiometry,
Z
,
varies 1 to 30, and the minimal number,
X
, of the bound mutant required to
block the activity is 1.
overlapping curves. When this is combined with Method 2, which uti-
lizes log/log plotting, the stoichiometry can be determined.
Case two
uses components with known stoichiometry or assumes
that
Z
is known but the number,
X
, of mutants required to block the
reaction is unknown. A series of curves will be produced and used for
comparison with empirical data (Fig. 3). It is crucial to use a mutant
component that can inhibit packaging completely without coopera-
tive or partial activity.
One potential avenue of research is to explore whether previous
approaches and developed equations for RNA stoichiometric determina-
tion using binomial distribution could be applied to protein components.
This would lead to a conclusion as to whether or not these methods
could have general application. To test the formula of binomial distribu-
tion for stoichiometric determination of proteins, it is important to uti-
lize a protein with well-elucidated structure, clearly defined domains,
unambiguous stoichiometry, and reliable methods of biological assay.
