Protein Charge Calculator

The Protein Charge Calculator helps determine the net charge of a protein sequence at pH 7 based on the presence of charged amino acids. Understanding protein charge is crucial for predicting solubility, stability, and interactions in biochemical contexts.

How the Calculator Works

• Amino Acids Considered: The primary amino acids with significant charges at pH 7 are aspartic acid (D), glutamic acid (E), lysine (K), arginine (R), and histidine (H).
• Charge Values: The approximate charges used are:
  • D, E: -1
  • K, R: +1
  • H: +0.1 (partial charge due to side chain pKa)

Example Calculation

For a sequence like "DEKRH", the net charge would be: \[ \text{Net Charge} = (-1) + (-1) + (+1) + (+1) + (+0.1) = +0.1 \]

Applications and Importance

Calculating protein charge is important in protein purification, formulation, and structural biology, where charge influences how proteins behave under different conditions.