Solution behaviour of Chromobacter viscosum and Pseudomonas sp. lipases. No evidence of self-association.

1. The size of two bacterial lipases was studied by SDS/PAGE, sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium to test for possible self-association behaviour. 2. Mr values of selected lipases were obtained from SDS/PAGE and sedimentation-velocity measurements, together with an absolute determination by sedimentation equilibrium 3. The Mr values obtained in a variety of aqueous solvents indicate that lipases do not self-associate in solution, suggesting the absence of surface hydrophobic patches.