The adsorption of human plasma albumin and bovine pancreas ribonuclease at negatively charged polystyrene surfaces: IV. The charge distribution in the adsorbed state

Abstract

In the adsorption of human plasma albumin and bovine pancreas ribonuclease on negatively charged polystyrene latices, the redistribution of free and bound ions plays an important role. Based on experimental data, a three-layer model is developed for the adsorbed proteins. The charge and potential distribution over these layers is computed. Upon adsorption, there is a tendency for cations to accumulate in the contact region between latex and protein, whereas anions tend to remain at the aqueous periphery of the adsorbed protein molecules.