Protein partitioning equilibrium between the aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) and salt phases and the solid protein phase in poly(ethylene glycol)-salt two-phase systems. 1996

B A Andrews, and J A Asenjo
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.

True partitioning behaviour, which is independent of the protein concentration in aqueous two-phase systems, only occurs at relatively low protein concentration. The actual concentration limit depends on the properties of the protein. When the concentration of a protein exceeds relatively low values, precipitation at the interface can be observed. This protein precipitate is in equilibrium with the protein solubilized in each of the phases. This paper discusses the effect of protein solubility in view of the equilibrium of the protein concentration between the aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) and salt phases and the solid protein phase using three proteins. It was found that only rarely will the proteins be completely in solution as the concentration is increased until a solubility limit is reached and then the protein precipitates fully out of solution. A behaviour that came close to this was only seen in one case out of six. In virtually all cases, a third phase is formed which represents a solid aggregate phase which is in equilibrium with the other two, largely aqueous, phases. As the overall concentration of protein in the system is increased and the concentration in the top and bottom aqueous phases increases, the pseudo concentration in the solid-phase, C's, also increases. This could have interesting implications in terms of the amount of water associated with this phase and it certainly means that in this particular case, the solid phase is not a crystal.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011092 Polyethylene Glycols Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS. Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D011506 Proteins Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein. Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D005087 Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal 1,4-linked alpha-D-glucose residues successively from non-reducing ends of polysaccharide chains with the release of beta-glucose. It is also able to hydrolyze 1,6-alpha-glucosidic bonds when the next bond in sequence is 1,4. 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase, Exo,Amyloglucosidase,Exo-1,4-alpha-Glucosidase,Glucoamylase,gamma-Amylase,Glucoamylase G1,Glucoamylase G2,1,4-alpha-Glucosidase, Glucan,Exo 1,4 alpha Glucosidase,Glucan 1,4 alpha Glucosidase,gamma Amylase
D001234 Aspergillus niger An imperfect fungus causing smut or black mold of several fruits and vegetables such as grapes, apricots, onions, and peanuts, and is a common contaminant of food. Aspergillus lacticoffeatus
D001412 Bacillus subtilis A species of gram-positive bacteria that is a common soil and water saprophyte. Natto Bacteria,Bacillus subtilis (natto),Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto,Bacillus subtilis var. natto
D012995 Solubility The ability of a substance to be dissolved, i.e. to form a solution with another substance. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Solubilities
D013381 Subtilisins A family of SERINE ENDOPEPTIDASES isolated from Bacillus subtilis. EC 3.4.21.- Alcalase,AprA-Subtilisin,Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Serine Protease,Bacillus subtilis Alkaline Proteinase,Carlsberg Subtilisin,Maxatase,Nagarse,Novo Alcalase,Profezim,Protease VII,Subtilisin 72,Subtilisin A,Subtilisin BPN',Subtilisin Carlsberg,Subtilisin DY,Subtilisin E,Subtilisin GX,Subtilisin Novo,Subtilopeptidase A,Alcalase, Novo,AprA Subtilisin,Subtilisin, Carlsberg

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