Effect of carbohydrate on protein solubility.

The effect of covalently attached carbohydrate on the solubility of a number of proteins has been examined by the PEG precipitation technique. Both increases and decreases in solubility are observed depending on the state of glycosylation, the type of protein, and temperature. It is concluded from this data and associated apparent thermodynamic parameters that a general role for carbohydrate in the solubilization of proteins is not currently experimentally supportable.