Abstract
Mucins are the key macromolecular component of mucus, nature's natural lubricant, and one of the most important physical properties is their molecular weight distribution. A new approach for polydisperse polymers was recently published based on sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge and converts a distribution of sedimentation coefficient g(s) vs. s plot into a distribution of molecular weight utilising the power-law or scaling relationship between the sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight, s= κsMwb where s is the sedimentation coefficient, Mw is the weight average molecular weight and κs and b are characteristic coefficients related to conformation. We investigate the possibility of using a large database of previously published values of s an M to define κs and b for both aqueous solution and aqueous solution supplemented by 6 M guanidine hydrochloride (a solvent which helps to minimise sample degradation). These values are then applied to a study of the molecular weight distributions of preparations of human gastric mucin in the different solvents and at different stages of purification.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 178-183 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Carbohydrate Polymers |
Volume | 93 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2013 |
Keywords
- Column and membrane free
- Extended Fujita approach
- Mucins
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry