Salt fractionation of plasma proteins: A procedure to teach principles of protein chemistry

Abstract

A two-step laboratory exercise in biochemistry is proposed, comprising salt fractionation of plasma proteins and protein quantification. This exercise targets mainly undergraduate students, namely in the second year of Pharmacy, who are up to this point more used to deal with physical and chemical properties of micromolecules than macromolecules. The exercise requires simple equipment usually available in basic laboratories. Students work in small teams or alone depending on the laboratory conditions. Questions are proposed to check and reinforce the essential concepts involved as a preparation for detailed comprehension of protein chemistry. After salt fractionation, protein samples can be stored before quantification, allowing a two-period schedule for the laboratory work. Exercises as proposed here are very useful to guide students to a detailed analysis of fundamental aspects determining structure and physicochemical properties of proteins. © 2003 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.