Isoelectric point

The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge.

For an amino acid with only one amine and one carboxyl group, the pI can be calculated from the pKa's of this molecule.

<math> pI = {{\sum pK_a} \over 2} <math>

For amino acids with more than two ionizable groups such as lysine for example, the same formula is used but this time, the two pKa's used are those of the two groups that lose and gain a charge from the neutral form of the amino acid.

Proteins can be separated according to their isoelectric point in a process known as isoelectric focusing.

ca:Punt isoelèctric ja:等電点 pl:Punkt izoelektryczny