Electrophoresis of proteins, most proteins have isolelectric points in the range of pH 2-4.?

Question

In my experiment we used a buffer at pH 8.6. The proteins migrated towards the cathode, as expected, but what is the significance of the buffer used?

Answer 1

proteins will not move if the buffer is at the isoelectric pH of the protein itself.

Take the Morrison-boyd and go to the chapter proteins for the equation for calculate the isoeletric point of the protein that you are interested with.

BTW if you have a way to explain the significance of the pH let me know, so we can take the nobel together.