<P> In biochemistry and pharmacology , a ligand is a substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose . In protein - ligand binding , the ligand is usually a molecule which produces a signal by binding to a site on a target protein . The binding typically results in a change of conformation of the target protein . In DNA - ligand binding studies , the ligand can be a small molecule , ion , or protein which binds to the DNA double helix . The relationship between ligand and binding partner is a function of charge , hydrophobicity , and molecular structure . The instance of binding occurs over an infinitesimal range of time and space , so the rate constant is usually a very small number . </P>
<P> In biochemistry and pharmacology , a ligand is a substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose . In protein - ligand binding , the ligand is usually a molecule which produces a signal by binding to a site on a target protein . The binding typically results in a change of conformation of the target protein . In DNA - ligand binding studies , the ligand can be a small molecule , ion , or protein which binds to the DNA double helix . The relationship between ligand and binding partner is a function of charge , hydrophobicity , and molecular structure . The instance of binding occurs over an infinitesimal range of time and space , so the rate constant is usually a very small number . </P>
what can change the binding properties of a protein
what can change the binding properties of a protein
charge hydrophobicity molecular structure
charge hydrophobicity molecular structure