CHAPS detergent

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CHAPS is a zwitterionic detergent used in the laboratory to solubilize biological macromolecules such as proteins. It is used as a non-denaturing solvent in the process of protein purification and is especially useful in purifying membrane proteins, which are often sparingly soluble or insoluble in aqueous solution due to their natively hydrophobic cellular environment. CHAPS can also be used in conjunction with nonionic detergents such as Triton X-100.

CHAPS is an abbreviation for the chemical formula 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. A related detergent, called CHAPSO, has the same basic chemical structure with an additional hydroxyl functional group; its full chemical name is 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate. Both detergents have low light absorbance in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is useful for laboratory workers monitoring ongoing chemical reactions or protein-protein binding with UV/Vis spectroscopy.