CHROMATOGRAPHIC-SEPARATION OF THE SOLUBLE-PROTEINS OF HENS EGG-YOLK - ANALYTICAL AND PREPARATIVE STUDY

Gel filtration chromatography on columns of Ultragel in 1.0 M NaCl was used to fractionate the soluble proteins of the yolk of Australorp hen''s eggs. Five fractions were isolated quantitatively: 3 major fractions each about a third of the total soluble protein by weight and each consisting largely of 1 of the 3 known proteins, .alpha.-, .beta.- and .gamma.-livetin, and 2 minor fractions neither more than 3% of the total. One minor fraction contained a single protein of low molecular weight, apovitellenin II, previously isolated from the yolk low-density lipoprotein. The other, referred to as .delta.-livetin, is of very high molecular weight. Recoveries of the soluble proteins were affected by factors such as concentrated salt, organic solvents, or heating.