ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the elucidation of the primary structure of a protein. There are numerous reasons for determining the sequence of a protein. There has been a significant conceptual change in protein structural analysis due to the great advances in recombinant DNA technology. A sample of a protein or peptide is hydrolyzed to its constituent amino acids in the presence of strong acid and heat. Sometimes, certain amino acids are converted to other derivatives prior either to hydrolysis or to chromatographic analysis. The amino acid composition is characteristic for a given protein. In the case of a small peptide, the composition should agree closely with the true integer numbers for the constituent amino acid residues. The procedure developed by Edman, P and Begg, G is routinely used to determine the sequence of a peptide or protein. Edman recognized the value of an automated instrument when he developed the spinning cup sequencer.
