Protein purification using immobilised triazine dyes.

This review attempts to identify proteins which selectively interact with immobilised triazine dyes such as Cibacron blue F3GA and Procion red HE 3B. Different support matrices are compared by examining the capacities of these dyes for proteins. Various approaches to the immobilisation of triazine dyes are considered together with the use of spacers. Some theories of the mechanism of protein retardation by immobilised dyes are discussed. A number of methods are suggested for the measurement of dye concentrations and for the modification of the binding of proteins to dye columns. The variety of elution methods is compared with a view to optimizing purifications. The scope of applications is reviewed as well as the choice of dye. Some advantages of triazine dyes over other affinity ligands are given. It is concluded that although no satisfactory mechanism for the binding of triazine dyes to proteins has yet been proposed, these dyes possess considerable potential for protein purification, particularly when applied on the large scale.