Dye-free protein molecular weight markers

Electrophoresis. 2005 Aug;26(16):3062-8. doi: 10.1002/elps.200500041.

Abstract

Protein molecular weight markers are widely used in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. Here, we describe novel protein molecular weight markers in which a prestaining procedure is no longer needed. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is stable and resistant to denaturing agents/conditions. Various histidine-tagged GFP fusion proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified by metal affinity chromatography. The minimal amount of each protein marker needed for analysis in SDS-PAGE and Western blot under visible light was 62.5 and 125 ng, respectively. Under ultraviolet (UV) ray, the minimal amount of each protein marker needed for analysis in SDS-PAGE and Western blot was half of those amounts used under visible light, respectively. Collectively, the accuracy, sensitivity, ease, economy, and flexibility of our strategy may reinforce the application of GFP in molecular biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western / methods
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / methods*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins* / biosynthesis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins* / genetics
  • Molecular Weight*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / biosynthesis
  • beta-Galactosidase* / biosynthesis
  • beta-Galactosidase* / genetics

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • beta-Galactosidase