Isoelectric focusing (IEF)
 An electrophoresis technique that separates proteins based on their isoelectric point
       (pI).
     A pH gradient is established, such that one end has a high pH (– charge, cathode) and
       the other has a low pH (+ charge, anode)
            o Recall: for IEF and electrophoresis, the labeling of cathode and anode are
               opposite to what you would think (since they are electrolytic cells)
     Once a protein reaches its pI (the place in the pH field whereby the protein has no net
       charge), it will no longer move in the electric field.
   Anode                                                                            Cathode
   Anode                                                                            Cathode
Polyacrylamide Agarose Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE)
    Mobility of a protein or nucleic acid is a function of the length, conformation, and
       charge of the molecule.
    Native PAGE
          o Preserves the molecules’ higher order structure
          o Separates based on both size and charge
    SDS PAGE
          o SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) is a negatively charged chemical that binds to
              proteins in a set ratio, approximately one molecule of SDS for every 2 amino
              acids.
          o In this way, the detergent provides all proteins with a uniform charge-to- mass
              ratio, independently of their original charge (therefore charge is no longer a
              factor)
          o By binding to the proteins, the detergent denatures proteins by destroying their
              2°, 3°, and/or 4° structure, turning them into negatively charged linear poly
              peptide chains.
          o Thus, SDS-Page separates based exclusively on size
          o Two types:
                   Non-reducing
                           Can separate out subunits, provided they are not covalently linked
                              by disulfide bonds
                   Reducing
                           Removes disulfide bonds (R-S-S-R –> R-SH + SH-R), further
                              denaturing the protein
                           Can separate out subunits, even if they are covalently linked by
                              disulfide bonds.
Summary:
Native-PAGE                  Separates based on size and charge
SDS-PAGE (non-reducing)      Separates based on size only
                             Separates out SUs, provided they’re not covalently linked by S-S bonds
SDS-PAGE (reducing)          Separates based on size only
                             Separates out SUs, even if they are covalently linked by S-S bonds
Isoelectric focusing (IEF)   Separates based on charge only
Blots