Molecular weight distribution of carrier ampholytes for isoelectric focusing

Abstract

By osmolarity, gel filtration an dialysis experiments it has been demonstrated that Ampholine carrier ampholytes have relative molecular masses ( M r) ranging from 600 daltons in the alkaline range (pH 8–10) up to 900 daltons in the acidic range (pH 3.5–), with graded intervals for the intermediate ranges. The most acidic range (pH 2.5–4) has a considerably smaller M r (325 daltons), suggesting that it is synthesized with different polyamines and/or acids. There is no indication that Ampholines with M r > 1000 daltons exist. Evidence is presented that carrier ampholytes aggregate in solution, giving rise to complexes with higher apparent M r.