
Isoelectronic point, pI
- The isoelectronic point or isoionic point is the pH at which the amino acid does not migrate in an electric field.
- This means it is the pH at which the amino acid is neutral, i.e. the zwitterion form is dominant.
- A table of pK a and pI values can be found on the next page.
- The pI is given by the average of the pK a s that involve the zwitterion, i.e. ...
What is isoelectric point in chemistry?
The isoelectric point ( pI, pH (I), IEP ), is the pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge or is electrically neutral in the statistical mean. The standard nomenclature to represent the isoelectric point is pH (I). However, pI is also used.
What is isoelectric focusing of a protein?
4.6.7 Isoelectric Focusing. The isoelectric point is the point at which the overall charge of the protein is zero (a neutral charge). Separation of proteins at the isoelectric point is called isoelectric focusing.
What is the isoelectric point of precipitation?
4.6 Isoelectric Point Precipitation. The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH of a solution at which the net charge of a protein becomes zero. At solution pH that is above the pI, the surface of the protein is predominantly negatively charged, and therefore like-charged molecules will exhibit repulsive forces.
What is the charge of a protein at the isoelectric point?
At the isoelectric point, a protein has no net charge. Above the isoelectric point, a protein carries a net negative charge—below it, a net positive charge. Because a majority of weakly acid remains in nearly every protein, they are generally negatively charged at neutral pH.

What is the significance of the isoelectric point?
The isoelectric point is significant in protein purification because it represents the pH where solubility is typically minimal. Here, the protein isoelectric point signifies where mobility in an electro-focusing system is zero—and, in turn, the point where the protein will collect.
What does a low isoelectric point indicate?
At low pH values, the net charge of most proteins in the mixture is positive - in cation exchangers, these positively-charged proteins bind to the negatively-charged matrix. At high pH values, the net charge of most proteins is negative, where they bind to the positively-charged matrix in anion exchangers.
What does isoelectric point for an amino acid indicate?
The isoelectric point of an amino acid is the point at which the amino acid has no net electrical charge. It is an important characteristic for any amino acid, because every amino acid has at least two acid–base (titratable) groups.
What is meant by isoelectric point of a protein?
The isoelectric or isoionic point of a protein is the pH at which a protein carries no net electrical charge and hence is considered neutral [1,2,3,4]. The zwitterion form of a protein becomes dominant at neutral pH. The pI of polypeptides is largely dependent on the dissociation constant of the ionisable groups [5].
What does a high isoelectric point mean?
The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH of a solution at which the net charge of a protein becomes zero. At solution pH that is above the pI, the surface of the protein is predominantly negatively charged, and therefore like-charged molecules will exhibit repulsive forces.
How does isoelectric point related to pH?
The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH at which a particular molecule carries no net electrical charge. The net charge on the molecule is affected by the pH of its surrounding environment and can become more positive or negative due to the gain or loss of protons, respectively.
What happens when pH is less than pI?
pH < pI. When pH is less than pI, there is an excess amount of H+ in solution. The excess H+ is attracted to the negatively charged carboxylate ion resulting in its protonation. The carbohydrate ion is protonated, making it neutral, leaving only a positive charge on the amine group.
How does isoelectric point help in separation of amino acids?
Solution : The pH at which a particular amino acid does not migrate under the influence of an electric field is called isoelectric point of amino acid. At the isoelectric point, an amino acid does not dissolve in water. This property helps in the separation of different amino acids formed by the hydrolysis of proteins.
Why do acidic amino acids have a low isoelectric point?
The pI of amino acids with acidic side chains In cases where the side chain is acidic, the pI is at a lower pH because the acidic side chain will result in an additional -1 charge.
Why does protein precipitate in isoelectric point?
Isoelectric precipitation The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH of a solution at which the net primary charge of a protein becomes zero. At a solution pH that is above the pI the surface of the protein is predominantly negatively charged and therefore like-charged molecules will exhibit repulsive forces.
How does isoelectric point affect solubility?
A protein has its lowest solubility at its isoelectric point. If there is a charge at the protein surface, the protein prefers to interact with water, rather than with other protein molecules. This charge makes it more soluble. Without a net charge, protein-protein interactions and precipitation are more likely.
What do you understand by isoelectric point and electrophoresis?
Electrophoresis is a process that separates a mixture of amino acids by the nature of their isoelectric point. At a given fixed pH, any amino acid will have its own unique concentration of positively and negatively charged forms.
Why do acidic amino acids have a low isoelectric point?
The pI of amino acids with acidic side chains In cases where the side chain is acidic, the pI is at a lower pH because the acidic side chain will result in an additional -1 charge.
What happens when pH is less than pI?
pH < pI. When pH is less than pI, there is an excess amount of H+ in solution. The excess H+ is attracted to the negatively charged carboxylate ion resulting in its protonation. The carbohydrate ion is protonated, making it neutral, leaving only a positive charge on the amine group.
Which of the following amino acid has lowest isoelectric point?
aspartic acidHere, out of the four compounds, aspartic acid has the lowest iso-electric point.
Why are proteins least soluble at isoelectric point?
A protein has its lowest solubility at its isoelectric point. If there is a charge at the protein surface, the protein prefers to interact with water, rather than with other protein molecules. This charge makes it more soluble. Without a net charge, protein-protein interactions and precipitation are more likely.
What is the isoelectric point?
The isoelectric point corresponds to zero electrokinetic ζ-potential (ζ = 0), i.e. to zero electrophoretic mobility and consequently to zero value of the potential at the onset of diffuse layer (φ d = 0) and also to the zero value of the net surface charge (σ s = 0). It is characterized by the activity of potential determining ions so that in the case of metal oxides and hydroxides in an aqueous environment pH iep characterizes the net surface charge σ s = 0. It also provides valuable information on specific adsorption of ions, and is especially important in consideration of the mutual interaction of colloid particles.
What is the magnitude of the isoelectric point?
The magnitude of the isoelectric point depends on the tanning and retanning process. Retanning and filling agents are used for subsequent treatments to give the leather special effects similar or different in character to those imparted by the fat liquoring process. Deposition of fatty substances in the interfibrillar spaces gives leather softness and water-repellent properties [ 12 ].
How to determine p I values?
p I values of peptides or proteins can be determined also by CE [71]. In this case, the electrophoretic mobilities of the peptides or proteins are measured at different pH and the obtained values are then plotted as function of pH. From these plots, the isoelectric points of peptides or proteins are determined as pH values at which the mobility curves intersect the zero mobility line. With both CIEF and CE methods, it is important to perform p I measurements at a constant temperature.
What is the IEP of a particle?
More specifically, the IEP characterizes the conditions, that is, the concentration of charge-determining ions , at which in electrokinetic measurements no charge is measured, for example, when the electrophoretic mobility of colloidal particles in a dispersion is zero. The IEP reflects the situation when the ζ -potential of the surface is zero. The PZC charge represents the situation when the surface charge density (i.e., the electric charge divided by the surface area) is zero. 124 PZC and IEP become equal under pristine conditions (in the absence of specific adsorption). 174 IEP and PCZ are typically specified through the pH.
Why do IEP and PZC exist?
Because acidic and basic sites can coexist on surfaces, both types of charge may be formed simultaneously in different locations. IEP and PZC provide information about the type of charge that prevails, which is determined by number and strength of all acidic and basic sites present.
What is the isoelectric point of a leather pellet?
The isoelectric point is a key criterion not only for selection of dyes and dyeing methods but also for the whole leather manufacturing process [11 ]. Pelts have an isoelectric point of approximately 5. Chrome leather has an isoelectric point of 4.5-6.5, depending on the chrome masking process at the end of the tanning step, and that of vegetable tanned leather is 3.2-4.
What is the point of zero charge?
The isoelectric point (IEP) and the point of zero charge (PZC) reflect the response of a surface to an electrolyte, typically water. Through protonation and deprotonation reactions, as a result of the amphoteric nature of water, positive or negative charges can be generated on the surface. Because acidic and basic sites can coexist on surfaces, both types of charge may be formed simultaneously in different locations. IEP and PZC provide information about the type of charge that prevails, which is determined by number and strength of all acidic and basic sites present. IEP and PZC are well suited to describe whether a surface is overall more acidic or more basic.
What is the difference between isoionic and isoelectric points?
The isoelectric point is defined as the pH at which no net migration takes place in an electric field, while the isoionic point is defined as the pH at which there is no net charge on the molecule. In a deionized solution, the isoelectric and isoionic points are for most purposes identical. The isoelectric point of gelatine is dependent on ...
What is the importance of the isoelectric point of an enzyme?
The isoelectric point of the enzyme is of importance. During the enzyme immobilization on the carrier, the buffer should have a pH value favoring electrostatic interactions with the carrier surface. In more detail, since the silica nanoparticles are negatively charged, the enzyme should be positively charged in the coupling pH conditions. A negative charge at the enzyme surface would cause a repulsion of the particles and prevent the enzyme binding.
What is the process of separating proteins at the isoelectric point?
Separation of proteins at the isoelectric point is called isoelectric focusing. In isoelectric focusing a gradient of pH and an electric potential are applied across the gel, making one end more positive than the other. Separation occurs on the basis of the positive or negative groups present on the molecule.
What is the isoelectric point of gelatine?
Type A or acid-processed gelatins have isoelectric points that can vary from 6.5 to 9.0. Acid ossein gelatins are at the lower end of the range with isoelectric point values of 6.5–7.5, while acid pigskin is more likely to have values from 7.5 to 9.0.
What happens to proteins applied in the first dimension?
The proteins applied in the first dimension will migrate through the gel and will accumulate at their isoelectric point.
What happens to a protein at pH above the pI?
At solution pH that is above the pI, the surface of the protein is predominantly negatively charged , and therefore like-charged molecules will exhibit repulsive forces. Likewise, at a solution pH that is below the pI, the surface of the protein is predominantly positively charged , and repulsion between proteins occurs.
How high should a chromatofocusing column be?
Pack the chromatofocusing medium into a suitable column. Long, thin columns with a bed height of 15–30 em give best results.
What is the difference between isoionic and isoelectric points?
The isoelectric point is defined as the pH at which no net migration takes place in an electric field, while the isoionic point is defined as the pH at which there is no net charge on the molecule. In a deionized solution, the isoelectric and isoionic points are for most purposes identical. The isoelectric point of gelatine is dependent on ...
What is the process of separating proteins at the isoelectric point?
Separation of proteins at the isoelectric point is called isoelectric focusing. In isoelectric focusing a gradient of pH and an electric potential are applied across the gel, making one end more positive than the other. Separation occurs on the basis of the positive or negative groups present on the molecule.
What is the isoelectric point of ovotransferrin?
Ovotransferrin has an isoelectric point of 6.1. Each molecule is capable of binding two atoms of iron. Ovotransferrin also will bind aluminum and copper ions, with the order of strongest to weakest binding being Fe +++ > Al +++ > Cu ++.
What is the isoelectric point of gelatine?
Type A or acid-processed gelatins have isoelectric points that can vary from 6.5 to 9.0. Acid ossein gelatins are at the lower end of the range with isoelectric point values of 6.5–7.5, while acid pigskin is more likely to have values from 7.5 to 9.0.
What happens to proteins applied in the first dimension?
The proteins applied in the first dimension will migrate through the gel and will accumulate at their isoelectric point.
Is the protein-polysaccharide complex weak?
Above the isoelectrical point of the protein, the protein–polysaccharide complex is very weak or nonexistent and the electrostatic protein–protein repulsion is dominant. It is, however, clear that this repulsion is not sufficient to stabilize the proteins. View chapter Purchase book. Read full chapter.
Question
What is the role of the isoelectric point of a protein in its purification and how does it come into play with your protein purification and extraction buffer products?
The Protein Man Says
Protein purification includes a series of processes to isolate a particular protein from a complex mixture. This technique is critical for characterizing the function, structure, and interaction of the protein of interest. An analytical purification generally uses three distinct properties to separate proteins, including the isoelectric technique.