Preparative Isoelectric Focusing of Poliovirus Polypeptides in Urea-Sucrose Gradients

Isoelectric focusing in urea using small density gradient columns for dissociated poliovirus resulted in a complete separation of the four virus polypeptides. Identification and purity of VP1, 2, 3 and 4 was shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isoelectric points were determined and compared with the values obtained in gels. The recovery of the individual polypeptides was about 80%. Up to 500 µg of poliovirus per tube could thus be separated in a one-step procedure giving pure and SDS-free poliovirus polypeptides.