Determination of the Molecular Mass of Membrane Proteins Using Size-Exclusion Chromatography with Multiangle Laser Light Scattering (SEC-MALLS)

• DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0724-4_12
• Publication Date: 2021-02-14T09:09:42Z
• Authors: Maren Thomsen
• Keywords: Multiangle light scattering; Molecular mass

Size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multiangle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) is the perfect method to determine the oligomeric state of membrane proteins as this method works in solution and is totally independent from prior assumptions such as detergent-to-protein ratio or the shape of the protein. In a relatively short time (ca. 30 min), the molecular mass and quality of a membrane protein preparation can be determined. Here, I provide a detailed protocol on how to perform a SEC-MALLS run and show exemplary chromatograms and their analysis.