Western Blot
Steps: 1. SDS-PAGE 2. Transfer to membrane: "Blotting" 3. Detection of proteins
SDS-PAGE SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE: polyacrylamid electrophoresis
The goal is to separate proteins according to their sizes. How would you do that?
Remember
SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate is a detergent (soap) that can dissolve hydrophobic molecules but also has a negative charge (sulfATE) attached to it http://www.davidson.edu/academic/biology/courses/Molbio/SDSPAGE/SDSPAGE.html
www.ufs.ac.za
Reductant: DTT: Dithiothreitol B-Mercaptoethanol The reducing agent beaks any cystine (-S-S-) bonds formed between two cysteine residues
Other stuff in the sample buffer: Glycerol Bromphenolblue
How to make the gel?
Polymerization reaction: radical catalyzed reaction http://www.davidson.edu/academic/biology/courses/Molbio/SDSPAGE/SDSPAGE.html
Polymerization reaction Catalysts: APS: Ammonium persulfate, radical initiator TEMED:N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, free radical stabilizer http://www.davidson.edu/academic/biology/courses/Molbio/SDSPAGE/SDSPAGE.html
"Discontinuous" PAGE Low pH (6.8) Low ionic strength Low Acrylamid concentration FAST High pH (8.8) High ionic strength High Acrylamid concentration SLOW
Visualization of proteins on the gel: Coomasie stain
OR do a western blot Proteins are transferred to a protein binding membrane. We will use a nitrocellulose membrane. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is also commonly used.
OR do a western blot