Simultaneous determination of viscosity and density of protein solutions by magnetic suspension

The first results are reported with a magnetic suspension instrument for determination of the viscosity and density concurrently on small volumes (0.2 ml) of protein solution. Reasonable agreement was obtained with literature values for the intrinsic viscosities and specific volumes (partial or isopotential) of serum albumin and ribonuclease in native solvents, and in 6 M guanidinium chloride with or without 2-mercaptoethanol. Turnip Yellow Mosaic virus and myosin were also studied, the results with the virus being related to hydration and structure data and those with myosin to the dissociative character of the protein. The possibility of using this approach to follow the time course of viscosity and density changes during reactions is shown.