Protein speciation and potential effects on membrane transport and immobilization illustrated by alpha-chymotrypsin

Protein speciation via physiochemical and biochemical processes presents both challenges and opportunities for membrane applications and research. Different types of speciation and its potential effects are illustrated with the well-known enzyme, alpha-chymotrypsin. This enzyme is capable of self-association and undergoing post-translational modifications. Self-association is shown to alter transport fluxes and also be manipulable. The post-translational modifications generate catalytically-active species that are difficult to detect and different in stability. The presence of different species can conceivably impact on the fabrication, performance, and analysis of immobilized enzyme systems.