Partition and counter-current distribution of membrane particles in aqueous dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) two-phase...

Aqueous two-phase systems composed of water, dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) can be used for the separation of biological particles. The adjustment of the partition of such particles between the two phases and the interface between them has been studied by using a preparation of synaptosomes (from calf brain cortex) also containing free mitochondria. The partition has been affected by variation of polymer concentrations and addition of salts, e.g. phosphates and chloride. The time for separation of the phases showed a bimodal behaviour with an initially rapid formation of bulk phases followed by a slow phase separation. The relative amount of mixed phases at the time of the transition was proportional to the amount of particles included. Counter-current distribution with moderate time for the phase separation was carried out in such way that the interface material travelled with approximately half the speed of the moving upper phase. In this way the distribution of the particles between the upper phase and the interface as well as between the interface and the lower phase could be studied in the same experiment. The heterogeneity of the synaptosome preparation was clearly demonstrated by counter-current distribution at low polymer concentrations while no separation was obtained when the system contained larger amounts of polymers. Possible reasons for this behaviour are discussed.