CHAPS for 2D-gel electrophoresis

CHAPS is a nondenaturing zwitterionic detergent for membrane biochemistry, isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Useful for solubilizing membrane proteins and breaking protein-protein interactions. Its small micellar molecular weight (6150 Da) and high critical micellar concentration (6-10 mM) allow it to be removed from samples by dialysis. It is also suitable for protein solubilisation for isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional electrophoresis. CHAPS is commonly used for non-denaturing (without urea) IEF and has been shown to give excellent resolution of some subcellular preparations and plant proteins. Commonly used concentrations for IEF are 2-4% (v/v).