Separation of subcellular particles by density-gradient electrophoresis

• 1.

  1. Data on the separation of mitochondrial and microsomal fractions from rat liver by density-gradient electrophoresis with and without electrolyte gradients are described. Physiological cations were deliberately excluded from the system. The theoretical basis of electrophoresis in density and electrolyte gradients is discussed.

• 2.

  2. A mitochondrial fraction prepared in the presence of EDTA is shown to consist principally of mitochondria and other particles which are probably nuclear fragments.

• 3.

  3. Microsomes (glucose 6-phosphatase particles) have been separated from ferritin, and by means of electrophoresis on an electrolyte gradient a complex charge distribution has been demonstrated for microsomes. Other minor components are present.