Will there be a separation of protein and DNA on centrifugation? Lets consider a scenario where in, DNA interacts with protein and forms a stable complex, will the complex break on centrifugation? Its just a hypothetical situation.
It all depends on the equilibrium between bound and free states, i.e. the affinity of the interaction and the concentration. If the affinity is very weak or if the concentration is very dilute (below the Kd), they may separate in a centrifugal field. If the affinity is high (Kd is low) relative to the concentration, they will stay together.
Thank you , Adam B Shapiro and Kannan Balakrishnan. Your answers were quite convincing and logical. Is there any way to mathematically equate these two forces. i.e, the centifugal force and the binding affinity. Just wondering!!!!!
Please have a look at this review on analytical ultracentrifugation.
Article Current Protocols in Protein Science
Some papers referenced therein:
Article Analysis of high-affinity assembly for AMPA receptor amino-t...
Article Ultra-weak reversible protein-protein interactions
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