Mini Review
Frontal affinity chromatography: An excellent method of analyzing weak biomolecular interactions based on a unique principle

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129761Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Frontal affinity chromatography; a powerful analytical tool for weak interactions.

  • Retardation analysis of molecular interaction based on a unique principle.

  • One of the most powerful tools for glycobiology, especially in lectin field.

Abstract

Background

Not only strong biomolecular interactions but also weak interactions play important roles in ensuring appropriate operations of many biological systems. Although a thorough investigation of the latter is essential in understanding life science, few suitable research tools are available because of inherent difficulties.

Scope of review

Frontal affinity chromatography (FAC) is a versatile method that overcomes the inherent difficulties to provide accurate information on weak interactions. Since its concept and merit are not widely recognized, a comprehensive interpretation of FAC is provided in this review to encourage its application among researchers.

Major conclusion

FAC is based on a unique principle of measuring the binding strength by the delayed migration of an analyte through an affinity column. Its utility was elucidated via the lectin-glycan interactions.

General significance

FAC has a great potential as a research tool to solve many difficult problems in general bioscience that are relevant to almost all researchers.

Keywords

Frontal affinity chromatography
Lectin profiling
Glycocode recognition
Retardation analysis
Weak interaction

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