Detection of antigen in immune precipitates by silver staining of SDS-polyacrylamide gels.
The silver staining technique of Merril et al. (1981) was used to identify antigens separated by SDS-PAGE after dissociation of immune complexes purified by absorption with staphylococcus A protein. The five and four dominating structural components of measles and RS virus (Mr range 28,000 to 79,000) respectively precipitated with monoclonal antibodies were readily identified, except when the Mr of the virus-specific antigen was in the same range as immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. Specific antigens were identified less effectively after precipitation with polyclonal sera because of a larger background of stainable proteins. This method, which combines the sensitivity and high resolution of silver staining and the specificity of immune complexing with monoclonal antibodies, is rapid and inexpensive.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001345:Autoradiography; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012834:Silver; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D012834:Silver