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

The formation of complexes between polyacrylamide which contains a gly cine end group and BSA have been studied in neutral water. Water solub le or insoluble complexes are formed when divalent copper ions were ad ded to these solutions. Contacts between protein and polyelectrolyte w ere achieved via chelate formation in which the copper ion is attached at the center. The solubility of the polycomplexes depends on the pro tein/polymer ratio. Starting with very low protein concentrations in t he 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 wa s shown that water insoluble complexes are nonequilibrium complexes. A hypothetical structural model for the formation of soluble and insolu ble ternary polycomplexes is proposed.