Molecular Weight Estimation for Native Proteins Using High-Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography

Abstract

The chromatographic separation of proteins from small molecules on the basis of size was first described by Porath and Flodin, who called the process “gel filtration” (1). Moore applied a similar principle to the separation of polymers on crosslinked polystyrene gels in organic solvents, but named this “gel permeation chromatography” (2). Both terms came to be used by manufacturers of such supports for the separation of proteins, leading to some confusion. The term size-exclusion chromatography is more descriptive of the principle on which separation is based and has largely replaced the older names, although the expression “gel filtration” is still commonly used by biochemists to describe separation of proteins in aqueous mobile phases. Hag el gives a comprehensive review of the subject with emphasis on proteins (3) and there is also much useful information in a technical booklet published by a leading manufacturer (4).