Congo red interaction with α-proteins

The ability of Congo red to form complexes with α-proteins, human growth hormone and human interferon-α2b, was found by absorption difference spectroscopy. A human growth hormone-Congo red complex was isolated by gel-permeation chromatography, and its visible absorption spectrum was registered in comparison to free dye. The ability of Congo red to induce dimerization of human growth hormone was demonstrated using chemical cross-linking agents 1,3,5-triacryloyl-hexahydro-s-triazine and ethylene glycol bis(succinimidylsuccinate).