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Which of the following methods would be the most suitable to assess whether your protein exists as a monomer or in a complex?

(a) gel-filtration chromatography
(b) gel electrophoresis
(c) western blot analysis
(d) ion-exchange chromatography

User Dnclem
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Final answer:

Gel-filtration chromatography is the most suitable method to determine whether a protein exists as a monomer or in a complex, as it separates proteins based on size and can indicate their oligomeric state in solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most suitable method to assess whether a protein exists as a monomer or in a complex is gel-filtration chromatography. This technique, also known as size-exclusion chromatography, separates proteins based on their size and allows researchers to determine the molecular weight and oligomeric state of a protein in solution. Proteins larger than the exclusion limit of the gel beads are eluted first, while smaller proteins elute later, allowing for size-dependent separation.

Gel electrophoresis, while useful in many applications, primarily separates proteins based on their charge-to-mass ratio and is often used in conjunction with SDS to denature proteins and evaluate their molecular weight in a denatured state. Thus, it may not accurately represent the native oligomeric state of proteins. Western blot analysis is a technique for detecting specific proteins with antibodies after electrophoresis, but it also does not usually inform about oligomeric state. ion-exchange chromatography separates based on charge and is not the best choice for oligomerization studies.

User WindsurferOak
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