Abstract
Sedimentation analysis of macromolecules carried out with analytical ultracentrifuge is a powerful method for the study of proteins, nucleic acids and other polymers and their various complexes. Monitoring sedimentation of macromolecules in the centrifugal field allows their hydrodynamic and thermodynamic characterization in solution, i.e. in native conditions, without interactions with any matrix or surface.
This allows direct measurement of molecular weight and sedimentation coefficient of macromolecules, monitoring of sample purity and homogeneity, prediction of size and shape of sedimenting species and, last but not least, study of equilibrium reactions, including determination of their stoichiometry and equilibrium constants. In the present review, we first focused on the history of the technique and properties and potentials of a modern instrument.