[1] protein analysis

Protein Analysis

Proteins

  • most abundant macromolecule in biological system

  • polymers comprising amino acids that are linked by peptide bonds.

  • diverse in their chemical and physical properties

    • hydrophobic/hydrophilic

    • acidic/basic/neutral

    • difference in length

    function
    • antibodies

    • enzymes

    • messengers

    • structural components

    • transport

    • transport or storage molecule

    biomarkers
    • they are the proteins that can be detected in the blood of the patient

    • A measurable substance in the blood that indicates diseases or environmental exposure

MOLECULAR SEPARATION OF PROTEIN MOLECULES

COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY

  • separation of soluble components in a solution by specific differences in physical-chemical characteristics of the different constituents

  • Uses a glass or plastic tube filled with resin

  • Most common method → for purifying proteins

  • protein sample is applied to the top of the column

  • sample migrate through the column at different rates based on → nature on the matrix and the physical and chemical properties of the proteins

  • targeted protein can be separated from others

GEL/GEL PERMEATION/ GEL FILTRATION/SIZE EXCLUSION

  • column matrix also known as → resin

  • consists of microscopic beads of inert material.

  • The resin bead has many tiny pores like a → whiffle ball

  • Larger molecules = emerge first

  • smaller molecules = emerge last

  • separate proteins based on the size and shape of a gel filtration column

ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY

  • separates molecules based on positive and negative charge

  • positively charged beads = negatively charged proteins will bind to the column matrix at low salt

  • Proteins → induced to dissociate with high salt.

  • Uses a resin to separate proteins on surface charges.

  • contains a resin bearing of either positively or negatively charged chemical groups

  • positively charged groups attract negatively charged solutes and are referred to as → anion-exchange resins

  • in low-salt solution, negative proteins bind to → positively charged anion-exchange columns

  • bound proteins in high-salt solution can be eluted through → high-salt buffer

    • Resins with negatively charged groups are cation exchangers

AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY

  • isolate molecules based on ligand binding abilities.

  • uses lock and key binding that is widely present in biological systems

  • principle = protein binds to a molecule for which it has a specific affinity

  • proteins carry biological activity through → binding or complex formation with specific small molecules/ ligands

Ligand
  • the specific affinity where the protein binds to carry out its biological activity

  • The protein of interest is removed from the mixture of samples

  • The protein is eluted from the resin by adding high concentrations of free ligands in the solution.

  • relies on the biological specificity of the protein of interest

  • very efficient procedure

  • separate and prepare larger quantities of proteins and antibodies for study

  • depends in

    • specificity of binding between the affinity reagent on the resin

    • the molecule to be purified

  • can be made to purify a protein in a single step.

HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTION CHROMATOGRAPHY

  • proteins passed through a chromatographic column packed with a support resin to which the hydrophobic groups are covalently linked

Phenyl Sepharose
  • which contains a phenyl group

  • commonly used in this method

  • protein sample is prepared in a high-salt buffer

  • Proteins can be differentially eluted using a low salt concentration buffer or by adding solvents such as polyethylene glycol to the elution fluid

MOLECULAR SEPARATION THROUGH ELECTROPHORESIS

ELECTROPHORESIS
  • different purposes

    • for separation

    • to determine the sizes, presence, or amount of DNA

  • For proteins, we use polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) with SDS.

  • carried out with a stacking gel and separating gel.

  • associated with staining method → can detect bands of protein in a simple and relatively rapid manner.

  • very first qualities that need to be assessed for any protein sample

    • integrity

    • purity

SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE (SDS-PAGE)

  • Anionic detergent (-)

  • Disrupt the structure of the protein to make it linear and binds most protein

  • a detergent that disrupts protein tertiary structure

  • Both heat and reducing agents that can also denature the protein and break the covalent bonds between subunit

    • DTT

    • 2-mercaptoethanol

      • harmful and poisonous

      • avoid skin and eye contact

  • often used to determine the molecular weight of proteins

  • The hydrophobic tail of SDS interacts strongly with polypeptide chains

  • The number of SDS molecules bound by a polypeptide = length (the number of amino acid residues) of the polypeptide

  • contributes two negative charges

  • After reduction and denaturation, protein migrate in the gel according to their molecular mass, allowing to detection of potential contaminants, proteolysis events

  • The electrophoretic mobility of proteins upon SDS-PAGE is inversely proportional to the logarithm of the protein’s molecular weight

ADVANTAGES OF SDS
  • coats all the polypeptides with negative charges

    • Once it becomes linear, purely (-) charges will be left; hence, it will be towards the anode or (+) charge.

  • masks the natural charges of the subunits

    • electrophorese according to their molecular masses

    • Small polypeptides = migrate rapidly.

    • Large polypeptides = migrate more slowly.

PROTEIN FRACTIONATION BY SDS-PAGE