Methods for the estimation of binding constants by capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has developed into a particularly effective means to determine apparent equilibrium constants for molecular association in solution (e.g., to micelles, cyclodextrins, antibiotics, proteins, RNA, DNA, etc.). The various experimental, graphical and mathematical approaches for determining association constants are reviewed. In CE, association constants can be calculated because there is a relationship between substrate concentration and the measured electrophoretic mobility of the solute. Most of the approaches for obtaining association constants by CE are conceptually and mathematically related to one another. Likewise, they are analogous to many spectroscopic techniques that are used for obtaining association constants. The advantages, limitations and proper use of the various CE approaches are examined.