title: Molecular weight distribution analysis by ultracentrifugation: adaptation of a new approach for mucins.
abstract: Mucins are the key macromolecular component of mucus, nature's natural lubricant, and one of the most important physical properties is their molecular weight distribution. A new approach for polydisperse polymers was recently published based on sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge and converts a distribution of sedimentation coefficient g(s) vs. s plot into a distribution of molecular weight utilising the power-law or scaling relationship between the sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight, s=κsMw(b) where s is the sedimentation coefficient, Mw is the weight average molecular weight and κs and b are characteristic coefficients related to conformation. We investigate the possibility of using a large database of previously published values of s an M to define κs and b for both aqueous solution and aqueous solution supplemented by 6M guanidine hydrochloride (a solvent which helps to minimise sample degradation). These values are then applied to a study of the molecular weight distributions of preparations of human gastric mucin in the different solvents and at different stages of purification.
authors: National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
authors: Richard B
authors: RB
authors: Gillis
authors: Gary G
authors: GG
authors: Adams
authors: Bettina
authors: B
authors: Wolf
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Berry
authors: Tabot M D
authors: TM
authors: Besong
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Corfield
authors: Samil M
authors: SM
authors: Kök
authors: Ray
authors: R
authors: Sidebottom
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Lafond
authors: Arthur J
authors: AJ
authors: Rowe
authors: Stephen E
authors: SE
authors: Harding
mesh_terms: D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005752:Gastric Mucins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D019791:Guanidine / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014461:Ultracentrifugation / Q000379:methods*; D014462:Ultrafiltration; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005752:Gastric Mucins; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D019791:Guanidine