Affinity chromatography is a method used to purify biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids based on specific interactions between the biomolecule and a ligand immobilized on a solid support. When a mixture is passed through the column, the target biomolecule will bind to the ligand while other molecules pass through. The bound biomolecule can then be separated by changing conditions like pH or introducing a competing molecule to displace it. Affinity chromatography offers highly specific purification of target molecules in a single step.

1. AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY
Presented by,
K. Sai Lakshmi
Pharmaceutical Analysis
M-pharmacy
JNTUA-OTPRI

2. Chromatography: It is a collective term for a set of laboratory techniques for
the separation of mixtures
Affinity Chromatography is the purification of a biomolecule with respect
to the specific binding of that biomolecule due to the chemical structure
 It is a method of separating a mixture of proteins or nucleic acids
(molecules) by specific interactions of those molecules with a component
known as a ligand, which is immobilized on a support. If a solution of,
say, a mixture of proteins is passed over (through) the column, one of the
proteins binds to the ligand on the basis of specificity and high affinity
(they fit together like a lock and key).
 The other proteins in the solution wash through the column because they
were not able to bind to the ligand.
Example: Enzyme with an inhibitor, antigen with an antibody etc.

3. PRINCIPLE
 Affinity chromatography is one of the most diverse and powerful
chromatographic methods for purification of a specific molecule or a group
of molecules from complex mixtures
 It is based on highly specific biological interactions between two molecules
such as interactions between enzyme and substrate, receptor and ligand, or
antibody and antigen.
 These interactions which are typically reversible are used for purification
by placing one of the interacting molecules referred to as affinity ligand
onto a solid matrix to create a stationary phase while a target molecule is in
the mobile phase.
 Many of the commonly used ligands coupled to affinity matrices are now
commercially available and are ready to use.

5. Types:
 Lectin Affinity Chromatography
 Immuno Affinity chromatography
 Metal Chelate Chromatography
 Dye Ligand Chromatography
 Covalent chromatography

6. Chromatographic Media
• A matrix in its use here is a substance, usually in bead form to which a
specific ligand is covalently bound.
 In order to for the matrix to be effective it must have certain characters:
1)It must be insoluble in solvents and buffers employed in the process
2)It must be chemically and mechanically stable..
3)It must be easily coupled to a ligand or spacer arm onto which the ligand can
be attached.
4)It must exhibit good flow properties and have a relatively large surface area
for attachment.

7. Immobilized Ligand
• The ligand can be selected only after the nature of the macromolecule to be
isolated is known.
• When a hormone receptor protein is to be purified by affinity
chromatography, the hormone itself is an ideal candidate for the ligand.
• For antibody isolation ,an antigen or hapten may be used as ligand.
• If an enzyme is to be purified, a substrate analog, inhibitor, cofactor, or
effect or may be used as a the immobilized ligand.

8. Attachment Of Ligand To Matrix
• Several procedures have been developed for the covalent attachment of
the ligand to the stationary phase. all procedures for gel modification
proceed in two separate chemical steps:
1)Activation of the functional groups on the matrix and
2)Joining of the ligand to the functional group on the matrix.
• A wide variety of activated gels is now commercially available. the most
widely used are described in the following

9. Specificity is based on three aspect of affinity
Matrix: for ligand attachment.
Spacer arm: used to bind ligand to matrix.
Ligand: molecule that binds reversibly to a specific target molecule(site
of interaction)
Examples
Antigen Antibody
Antibody Antigen
Substrate Enzyme
DNA Histon
Hormone Binding Protein/Receptor

10. Uses of Affinity Chromatography
 Purify and concentrate a substance from a mixture into a buffering solution
 Reduce the amount of a substance in a mixture
 Discern what biological compounds bind to a particular substance, such as drugs
 Purify and concentrate an enzyme solution
Limitations of Affinity Chromatography
 Time consuming method.
 More amounts of solvents are required which may be expensive.
 Intense labor
 Non-specific adsorption cannot be totally eliminated, it can only be minimized.
 Limited availability and high cost of immobilized ligands.
 Proteins get denatured if required pH is not adjusted.

11. Advantages Of Affinity Chromatography
 High specificity
 Target molecules can be obtained in a highly pure state
 Single step purification
 The matrix can be reused rapidly.
 The matrix is a solid, can be easily washed and dried.
 Give purified product with high yield.
 Affinity chromatography can also be used to remove specific contaminants, such as
proteases.
Disadvantages Of Affinity Chromatography
 Expensive ligands
 Leakage of ligand
 Degradation of the solid support
 Limited lifetime
 Non-specific adsorption
 Relatively low productivity

12. APPLICATIONS
 It is used for isolation and purification of all biological
macromolecule.
 It is used to purify nucleic acid, antibodies, enzymes etc..,
 To notice which biological compounds bind to a particular
substance.
 To reduce a amount of substance in a mixture.
 Used in Genetic Engineering - nucleic acid purification
 Production of Vaccines - antibody purification from blood serum
 And Basic Metabolic Research - protein or enzyme purification
from cell free extracts