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Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?
  • a)
    homodimeric with no di sulphide bridges
  • b)
    heterodimeric with disulphide bridges
  • c)
    tetrameric with disuphide bridges
  • d)
    Polymeric with nodisuphide bridges
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular we...
Size exclusion chromatography, also known as molecular sieve chromatography, is a chromatographic method in which molecules in solution are separated by their size and  molecular weight.
    Molecular weight of the protein was found to be 60 kDa by size exclusion chromatography. So, 60 kDa is the molecular weight of intact native protein.
    6 M  urea  will  denature the   protein,  that is protein will lose its secondary and tertiary structure, however its disulphide bonds will remain intact in the presence of urea. Urea does not reduce the disulphide bonds. Urea belongs to a class of compounds known as chaotropic denaturants, which unravel the tertiary structure of proteins by destabilizing internal, non-covalent bonds between atoms.
    So when size exclusion chromatography was carried out in the presence of 6 M urea, 30 kDa species was obtained, it’s because, urea denatures the proteins, so subunits of proteins (each subunit 30 kDa) were  separated from each other in the presence of urea.
    However, when size exclusion chromatography was carried out in the presence of 6 M urea and Beta mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kDa was obtained. It’s because, beta mercaptoethanol is a reducing agent. It reduces the disulphide bonds (that  form between thiol groups of cysteine residues) present in the protein.
    Each single 30 kDa subunit of protein was further made up of 2 single 15 kDa subunits that were held together by disulphide bond, which was reduced in the presence of beta mercaptoethanol.
    Hence 60 kDa protein is a tetrameric protein held together by disulphide bridge.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular we...
Structure of the molecule:

- The size exclusion chromatography result indicates that the protein has a molecular weight of 60 kD, suggesting that it is a monomer or a multimer with a molecular weight of 60 kD.
- Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species, which indicates that the protein is partially unfolded and has lost some of its tertiary or quaternary structure.
- When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results, indicating that the protein has been completely denatured and the subunits have dissociated.

Based on these results, we can conclude that the protein is a tetrameric protein with disulfide bridges. The dissociation of the protein into subunits in the presence of urea and b-mercaptoethanol suggests that the subunits are held together by disulfide bonds, which are disrupted by the reducing agent. The tetrameric structure is supported by the fact that the dissociation of the protein into subunits results in a 30-kd species, which is consistent with a dimeric subunit, and the final product is a 15-kd species, which suggests that the protein is composed of four subunits of approximately equal size. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
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Community Answer
Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular we...
Size exclusion chromatography, also known as molecular sieve chromatography, is a chromatographic method in which molecules in solution are separated by their size and  molecular weight.
    Molecular weight of the protein was found to be 60 kDa by size exclusion chromatography. So, 60 kDa is the molecular weight of intact native protein.
    6 M  urea  will  denature the   protein,  that is protein will lose its secondary and tertiary structure, however its disulphide bonds will remain intact in the presence of urea. Urea does not reduce the disulphide bonds. Urea belongs to a class of compounds known as chaotropic denaturants, which unravel the tertiary structure of proteins by destabilizing internal, non-covalent bonds between atoms.
    So when size exclusion chromatography was carried out in the presence of 6 M urea, 30 kDa species was obtained, it’s because, urea denatures the proteins, so subunits of proteins (each subunit 30 kDa) were  separated from each other in the presence of urea.
    However, when size exclusion chromatography was carried out in the presence of 6 M urea and Beta mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kDa was obtained. It’s because, beta mercaptoethanol is a reducing agent. It reduces the disulphide bonds (that  form between thiol groups of cysteine residues) present in the protein.
    Each single 30 kDa subunit of protein was further made up of 2 single 15 kDa subunits that were held together by disulphide bond, which was reduced in the presence of beta mercaptoethanol.
    Hence 60 kDa protein is a tetrameric protein held together by disulphide bridge.
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Explanation:The separation techniques of proteins are used to isolate and purify proteins from complex mixtures. These techniques are based on various properties of proteins such as solubility, charge, size, and others. However, the technique of protein separation based on viscosity is not commonly used. Protein solubility:Protein solubility refers to the ability of a protein to dissolve in a given solvent. Different proteins have different solubilities in different solvents. This property is often used in techniques like precipitation, where proteins are selectively precipitated out of solution based on their solubility.Protein charge:Protein charge refers to the net charge of a protein molecule, which is determined by the presence of charged amino acid residues such as lysine, arginine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid. Techniques like electrophoresis and ion exchange chromatography utilize the charge differences between proteins to separate them.Protein size:Protein size refers to the molecular weight or size of a protein molecule. Techniques such as gel filtration chromatography and SDS-PAGE separate proteins based on their size. In gel filtration chromatography, proteins are separated based on their ability to enter and pass through a porous gel matrix, while in SDS-PAGE, proteins are separated based on their migration through a gel under the influence of an electric field.Protein viscosity:Protein viscosity refers to the resistance of a protein solution to flow. While protein viscosity can vary depending on factors such as protein concentration, temperature, and pH, it is not typically used as a property for protein separation. In conclusion, the separation techniques of proteins are based on properties such as solubility, charge, and size. Protein viscosity is not commonly used as a property for protein separation.

Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for IIT JAM 2024 is part of IIT JAM preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the IIT JAM exam syllabus. Information about Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for IIT JAM 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Here you can find the meaning of Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Protein was purified to homogeneity. Determination of the molecular weight by size exclusion chromatography yields 60 kD. Chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea yields a 30-kd species. When the chromatography is repeated in the presence of 6 M urea and 10 mM b-mercaptoethanol, a single molecular species of 15 kd results. Describe the structure of the molecule?a)homodimeric with no di sulphide bridgesb)heterodimeric with disulphide bridgesc)tetrameric with disuphide bridgesd)Polymeric with nodisuphide bridgesCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice IIT JAM tests.
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