Improved resolution in the gel electrophoresis of proteins by a periodically interrupted electric field.
The capability of the commercial gel electrophoresis apparatus with intermittent scanning of fluorescence (HPGE-1000, LabIntelligence) to provide time-dependent zone dispersion allows one to quantitate resolution. Using a model protein separation, that between phycoerythrin and fluorescein-labeled conalbumin, resolution was compared between separations conducted at a constant field strength of 80 V/cm and one conducted in 10-s pulses of the same field strength, interrupted periodically by 120 s in the absence of an electric field. Resolution was improved by a factor of two in the discontinuous application of the electric field compared to that obtained in its continuous application. Similarly, the intermittent application of 80 V/cm for 10 s, followed by 120-s pauses, gave rise to twice the resolution obtained from a continuous application of 7 V/cm.
Chen
N
N
Section on Macromolecular Analysis, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1855, USA.
Chrambach
A
A
D003196:Computer Graphics; D003207:Conalbumin / Q000032:analysis; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D010507:Periodicity; D010799:Phycoerythrin / Q000032:analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D011506:Proteins; D010799:Phycoerythrin; D003207:Conalbumin