THE NUMBER OF POLYPEPTIDE CHAINS IN BOVINE PLASMA ALBUMIN

Abstract

The molecular weight of performic acid oxidized bovine plasma albumin, dispersed in 0.08 M borate +0.2 M sodium chloride buffer, pH 7.4, was estimated as 30,000 by light-scattering and sedimentation equilibrium methods, 19,000 by osmotic pressure. Sedimentation velocity analyses and electrophoresis showed that the component polypeptide chains of the material are similar in mass and charge density so the polydispersity must be attributed to labile aggregates. The results indicate that here are at least three and probably four similar polypeptide chains in the molecule of native bovine plasma albumin, held together by disulphide bonds.