On the determination of component molecular weights in complex protein mixtures by means of disc electrophoresis

The applicability of the methodology of disc electrophoresis to the determination of the component molecular weights of complex protein mixtures has been investigated. To this end, variable factors in the formation of polyacrylamide gel columns have been studied, along with their influence on the determination of relative mobilities. The effect of gelling time was demonstrated as a major factor in this regard, and the influence of catalyst and monomer concentration on this parameter defined. Migration of proteins of established amino acid composition at different pH's has been shown to vary in a parallel fashion to the alteration in charge of the protein. As a result of these investigations, the adoption of a standardized set of conditions which allow for the accurate estimation of the molecular weights of the protein components of biological systems has been made possible, a method that seems capable of wide application in assessing protein interrelationships.