NDSB-256 is a nondetergent sulfobetaines class member. Unlike CHAPS and other zwittergents, NDSBs are nondenaturing even at 1 M concentrations. NDSBs have been used to improve the efficiency of solubilization of membrane proteins, to isolate nuclear proteins, to chromatographically purify halophilic proteins in low ionic strength buffers, and to crystallize proteins. They are zwitterionic over a wide pH range and do not absorb near UV range significantly. Reported to prevent protein aggregation and facilitate the renaturation of chemically and thermally denatured proteins. NDSBs can be easily removed by dialysis. At 1 M, NDSB-256 will restore 30% of the enzymatic activity of denatured egg white lysozyme; at 800 mM it will restore 16% of the enzymatic activity of denatured β-galactosidase.
