Non-detergent Sulfobetaines (NDSB) Suitable for Protein Handling

The solubilization of proteins in protein extraction and analysis requires the use of surfactants such as SDS and LDS, and denaturing agents urea and guanidine. However, the protein refolding and purification may be difficult in some cases since the interaction between surfactants and agents and proteins is strong.
The amphiphilic small compounds containing cation and anion in a molecule such as 3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonio]propane-1-sulfonate (NDSB 211), 3-(1-pyridinio)propanesulfonate (NDSB 201), and 3-(4-tert-butyl-1-pyridinio)propanesulfonate (NDSB 256-4T) are called non-detergent sulfobetaines (NDSB), which have different properties from general surfactants. NDSB does not form micelles because of its smaller hydrophobic moiety and can solubilize proteins mildly. Also it has been reported that NDSB has the effect of prevention of protein denaturation by heat or acid, inhibition of protein aggregation, acceleration of protein refolding, and promotion of membrane protein extract.