Visualization of serum albumin on electrophoretic gels using the specific ligand bilirubin

J Biochem Biophys Methods. 1998 Sep 24;37(1-2):47-52. doi: 10.1016/s0165-022x(98)00017-7.

Abstract

Serum albumin, when incubated with bilirubin prior to electrophoresis, was visualized as a yellow-colored band during the electrophoretic run and did not require any staining. Furthermore, free bilirubin served as a tracking dye. A minimum of 20 micrograms of protein was detected very well by this method. The formation of a bilirubin-albumin complex did not affect the electrophoretic mobility as the protein complexed with bilirubin as well as free albumin moved with the same mobility. Only a single protein band was visualized by this method after electrophoresis of human plasma. The method is simple, less time-consuming and may be used in identifying bilirubin-binding proteins in various biological samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bilirubin*
  • Blood Protein Electrophoresis / methods*
  • Carrier Proteins / blood
  • Carrier Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Cattle
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / methods*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Serum Albumin / isolation & purification*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Serum Albumin
  • bilirubin binding protein, human
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Bilirubin