KDSAXS: A Tool for Analyzing Binding Equilibria With SAXS Data Using Explicit Models
K<sub>D</sub>SAXS is a computational tool for estimating dissociation constants (K<sub>D</sub>) from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) titration experiments. By combining ensemble analysis with mass-balance equations, K<sub>D</sub>SAXS effectively models complex equilibria involving multiple species, ranging from simple oligomerization to transient and multivalent interactions, including intrinsically disordered proteins. For each species in equilibrium, the tool supports the integration of theoretical scattering profiles derived from ensemble structural models, X-ray crystallography, NMR, AlphaFold predictions, or molecular dynamics simulations. With its intuitive dashboard interface, K<sub>D</sub>SAXS enables researchers to input SAXS titration data, validate structural models and interactions, and compute species-specific scattering profiles. Additionally, it determines the relative populations of biomolecular species in equilibrium across user-defined Kᴅ ranges and concentrations. Applications of K<sub>D</sub>SAXS to systems such as beta-lactoglobulin oligomerization and the PCNA-p15PAF complex highlight its capacity to resolve complex equilibria and deliver accurate K<sub>D</sub> estimations. As an open-source platform, K<sub>D</sub>SAXS bridges computational and experimental methodologies, advancing SAXS-based analysis of macromolecular interactions and enhancing insights into dynamic biological systems. K<sub>D</sub>SAXS is freely accessible as a web server at https://kdsaxs.itqb.unl.pt.
Authors
- Pau Bernadó (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7395-5922)
- Tiago N. Cordeiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2663-3220)
- Tiago Gomes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3238-290X)
- António L. Baptista
- Pau Martín-Malpartida (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5867-5535)
- María Jesús Macías (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6915-963X)
- Lidia Ruíz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8918-9158)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Inserm (FR)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (FR)
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (ES)
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Molecular Biology
- Published
- 2025-03-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2025.169103
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81