Interactions of proteins in gels, solutions and on surfaces.

摘要

The study of protein interaction, identification and separation has applications in various fields relating to Biotechnology. In this research these aspects were investigated. The proteins albumin, casein, poly-L-lysine were studied. FITC and TRITC were used to fluorescently tag the proteins. Confocal microscopy was used to image the interaction of proteins. The migration of fluorescently tagged protein-salt aggregates on solid surfaces during electrophoresis was investigated using Confocal microscopy. The secondary structural modifications of proteins in solutions were investigated using FTIR micro spectroscopic imaging. The size of the colloids formed due to protein-protein interactions as a function of the protein concentrations were studied using DLS and their charges were found using zeta potential measurements. Based on DL.S and zeta potential measurements, a model is proposed for interactions of oppositely charged proteins. The nature of interaction was found using UV - Visual spectroscopy. It was found that oppositely charged proteins formed ionic bonds. It was also found that FITC molecule influenced the surface charge of albumin more than TRITC molecule. The effects of the influence of cell geometries upon Electro Osmotic Flow (EOF) were studied using neutrally charged fluorescent Polystyrene beads. Results showed that tagging proteins with fluorescent molecules influenced their mobility and interactions with other proteins. However no secondary structural modifications of the proteins were observed when oppositely charged proteins interacted. It was also observed that electrostatic interactions made oppositely charged proteins form large aggregates. The EOF was found to be dependent upon the ionic strength of the buffer, conductivity of the solid surfaces, distance from the surface and position of the electrodes in the electrophoretic cell.