Vicinal hydration of biopolymers: Cell biological consequences

Abstract

A novel type of hydration of macromolecules in aqueous solution was first suggested by Etzler and Drost-Hansen (1983). This hydration, observed for all macromolecules with a critical mass of >2000 Daltons (MWC), seems identical with vicinal hydration of solid surfaces, possessing the same characteristics, e.g., thermal anomalies at the same temperatures [T k] and similar shear rate dependence, as well as slow reforming after shear. Furthermore, the vicinal hydration is independent of the detailed chemistry of the macromolecules and of the presence of other solutes, electrolytes and non-electrolytes alike. Evidence for this poorly recognized and often overlooked hydration is presented © 2006 Springer.