Molecular clusters in water protein solutions in the presence of heavy metal ions.

For the first time, formation of macromolecular protein clusters in the presence of heavy metal ions were observed by the light scattering method. Conditions of the formation and destruction of such clusters were investigated. The clusters mass has a maximum value at the isoelectric point of the protein and increases with the ionic strength of the solution. Formation of clusters in the presence of toxic heavy metals in living cells is believed to have an essential physiological meaning. The molecular mechanisms of such clusters formation are discussed.