Figure 5.

Plot of log([G₄]/[G₂]) and log([G₅]/[G₄]) vs log [SDS] for four sets of experiments for the transition G₂→G₄ (●) and two sets for the transition G₄→G₅ (□), where [G₂], [G₄], and [G₅] are the relative concentrations of all UBI-SDS_n complexes within their respective groups. Values Δn_i→j correspond to the number of SDS molecules involved for the transition from G_i to G_j (i and j represent the label of the group). For example, in the transition from G₂ to G₄, the value Δn_i→j corresponds to the number of SDS that bind G₂ to yield G₄, and K_i→j refers to the thermodynamic equilibrium constant for this transition (K_i→j has units of (mol/L)^-Δn_i→j). Relative concentrations were determined by integrating electropherograms in the mobility range attributed to each group (integration was performed as a function of time, t). We fitted the data to the linearized expressions of the law of mass action described in eqs 5 and 6. The errors ((±) correspond to half of the amplitude between the highest and lowest values of the slope and y-intercept fitting the data points.