Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography of t-RNA's and Proteins

Abstract

Various microparticulate siliceous bonded stationary phases having weakly hydrophobic ligates were developed for HPLC of proteins and t-RNA's by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). It was confirmed that optimal separation of different types of biopolymers can be obtained by using a set of stationary phases having appropriate hydrophobic properties. Thus, the separation of t-RNA's is best carried out on stationary phases which are more hydrophobic than those optimal for HIC of proteins. Plots of log k' of both proteins and t-RNA's against the salt molality in the eluent yielded straight lines at sufficiently high salt concentrations in the eluent. The limiting slopes represent the hydrophobic interaction parameter for the particular chromatographic system and can serve as measures of the hydrophobic character of either the biopolymer or the stationary phase. Stationary phases with covalently bound polyether chains at the surface were found to be most suitable for HIC of proteins and t-RNA's.