Fast preparative isoelectric focusing of phycocyanin subunits in layers of granulated gels

Abstract

Abstract A new method is presented for the fast preparative separation of the light‐harvesting photosynthetic pigment C‐phycocanin into its α and β subunits, which is based on isoelectric focusing in layers of granutaled gels containing 7 M urea. The method has been successful in cases where other separation procedures failed. The recovery of the separated chains of the light ‐sensitive biliprotein amounts to 70 ± 10 % when the separation is carried out under light exclusion and in an argon atmosphere. A simple and inexpensive setup for work under an atmosphere of protective gas is described.