Thermo Scientific CHAPS is a zwitterionic detergent that is especially well suited for protecting the native state of proteins.

CHAPS is sulfobetaine derivative of cholic acid. This zwitterionic detergent is useful for membrane protein solubilization when it is important to maintain protein activity. CHAPS detergent is soluble over a wide range of pH (2 to 12) and is easily removed from solution by dialysis because it has a high critical micelle concentration (CMC).

Features of this buffer:

• Versatile zwitterionic detergent
• Provides mild but effective lysis of cultured mammalian cells
• Nondenaturing and generally does not inactivate protein functions
• Can be removed from solution by dialysis
• Commonly used for isoelectric focusing (IEF) and 2D electrophoresis

Applications:

• Solubilizing the opiate receptor from rat brain cell membranes, while retaining the reversible opiate binding property of the receptor ¹
• Purifying microsomal signal peptidase as a complex ²
• Solubilizing dopamine D ^2,3, muscarinic ⁴, and opiate receptors ⁵ from brain tissue

CHAPS has been successfully used to solubilize intrinsic membrane proteins and receptors and maintain the functional capability of the protein of interest. CHAPS has also been used in combination with nonionic detergents such as NP-40 for nondenaturing gel electrophoresis applications. CHAPS has largely replaced NP-40 in isoelectric focusing (IEF) applications, where it prevents streaking in certain pH ranges. The neutral charge of CHAPS and its disaggregating properties are believed to be responsible for the improvement.

Properties of CHAPS Detergent:

• Chemical Name: 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate
• Molecular Weight: 614.88g
• Detergent Class: Zwitterionic
• Aggregation Number: 10
• Micelle Molecular Weight: 6149g
• Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC): 8 to 10 mM (0.4920 to 0.6150%, w/v)
• Cloud Point: ≥100°C
• Dialyzable: Yes

Specifications for CHAPS:

• Visual: White free-flowing powder, free of foreign matter.
• Solubility: A 10% (aq) solution is clear, colorless.
• Identity: The I.R. scan must show only peaks characteristic for the structure and functional groups of the compound being tested.
• Purity: (TLC) One major spot. A small, secondary spot is acceptable.

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