Determination of Molecular Weight of a Protein by Gel Filtration

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Introduction

Purification of proteins is an essential technique that provides biochemists with the ability to obtain a sample that contains a specific protein of interest. In order to purify a protein biochemists typically obtain the specific extract, precipitate the protein using ammonium sulfate, preform gel filtration, and lastly run ionic and affinity chromatography. Understanding the use and methods of the different chromatography techniques is of crucial importance in order to successfully purify and conclude the molecular weight of an unknown sample using elution volumes of molecular weight standards.

Gel filtration or exclusion chromatography is preformed to isolate proteins of different sizes between various phases, such as solid or gel and liquid phases. If solid, the gel and beads are denoted as sorbent. Sample mixtures have two phases that they move through, a stationary and mobile phase. The stationary phase is a solid or sorbent, while the mobile phase is gas or water. The process of movement of a sample down a column is referred to as development.

Gel exclusion chromatography is an ideal method used to isolate molecules that are sensitive to harsh environments such as changes in pH or varying concentrations of metal ions. When running gel exclusion chromatography, smaller biomolecules typically penetrate the gel more and thus, take more time to elute through the column. Furthermore, larger biomolecules are too large to penetrate the gel pores and elute through the column at a faster rate. Upon coming out of the Sephedex (or out of the column) biochemists collect fractions, to further the continuation of the experiment. The diagram depicted in the figure below illustrates large molecules and small molecules e...

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...h a known molecular weight.

Bibliography

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Kumar, Pramod. Ph.D. Experiment 6: Determination of Molecular Weight of a Protein by Gel Exclusion Chromatography. The University of Texas at San Antonio. Pages 1-8.

Moran, Horton et al. Principles of Biochemistry. (2012), page 112.

Selfe, S., Laboratory Manual for Blei and Odian’s General, Organic, and Biochemistry, WH Freeman, New York, 2002, p.195-202.

http://science.csustan.edu/stone/2090/Glucose.htm February 24,2014

Wiggins, Roger C. "Fragmentation and Polymeric Complexes of Albumin in Human Urine." Clinrca Chimica Acta Kelsh Barry.S (1985): 155-63. Online. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. .

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