Quantitative structure/retention relationships in affinity chromatography.

Affinity chromatography (AC) followed by quantitative structure/retention relationships (QSRR) analysis provides information on both the analytes and the macromolecules forming the stationary phases. QSRR equations derived for test series of analytes (often drugs) are interpreted in terms of structural requirements of the specific binding sites on macromolecules. Chromatographically demonstrated differences in analyte/macromolecule interactions may be relevant to molecular pharmacology and rational drug design. Multiple regression analysis of appropriately designed sets of affinity-chromatographic data may help increase the speed and efficiency of search as for new drugs and reduce the need for in vivo screening. Specific high-performance affinity-chromatographic separations can be optimized by rational selection of chiral columns, the characteristics of which are provided by QSRR.