On the unlikelihood of specific long range forces in immunologic and enzymatic reactions

Abstract

In the past few years, a great many experiments have been performed by Rothen (24, 25) which he has interpreted as suggesting that antigen and antibody, and enzyme and substrate proteins, can react specifically, although separated by distances of hundreds of angstroms. This hypothesis seems to conflict with evidence accumulated from many other investigations indicating that short range interactions, involving distances usually associated with electrostatic and van der Waals’ forces, and hydrogen bonds, of the order of 5 A, operate in these reactions. We have therefore engaged in a critical analysis of the experimental techniques used by Rothen to determine whether some interpretation other than that invoking the existence of specific long range forces could be found to explain his experimental results