CHAPS is often used as a detergent in the solubilization and purification of membrane proteins for several advantageous reasons. CHAPS detergent is non-denaturing to membrane proteins, can solubilize proteins, disaggregate protein-protein interactions. CHAPS is also useful in ion exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing as it is zwitterionic and does not exhibit a net charge between pH 2 to 12. It is suitable for isolation of membrane proteins with the following features such as sufficient protein solubilization capability, no denaturing or inactivation of proteins, no interference with protein activities, no precipitation at 4°C, appropriate critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and micelle size, no absorption in the UV region, no toxicity and availability of detergent detection methods.
