Protein Aggregation

Proteins in solution can form aggregates that may or may not come out of solution depending on their size. This can be due to a number of factors such as oppositely charged subunits binding to each other or hydrophobic regions coming together to form highly stable aggregates with hydrophobic cores. This process will interfere with the action of a protein or enzyme and so it is very useful to monitor the accumulation of aggregates over time. If a protein is intended for injection or consumption, it may also stimulate an immune response which can be dangerous to the patient.

Applications The aggregation of proteins in solution can be measured using the Malvern Zetasizer Nano coupled with Absolute Size-Exclusion Chromatography (ASEC). Dynamic light scattering, measured by the Zetasizer Nano is particularly sensitive to the formation of small amounts of protein aggregates due to the relationship between particle size and light scattered, making this an ideal method for the detection of aggregates.

More about the Zetasizer Nano

More about Absolute Size-Exclusion Chromatography (ASEC)

Aggregation of protein using ASEC with the Zetasizer Nano

Using light scattering to study the stability of lactase