Mechanized syringe homogenization of human and animal tissues.
Tissue homogenization is a prerequisite to any fractionation schedule. A plethora of hands-on methods are available to homogenize tissues. Here we report a mechanized method for homogenizing animal and human tissues rapidly and easily. The Bio-Mixer 1200 (manufactured by Innovative Products, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK) utilizes the back-and-forth movement of two motor-driven disposable syringes, connected to each other through a three-way stopcock, to homogenize animal or human tissue. Using this method, we were able to homogenize human or mouse tissues (brain, liver, heart, and salivary glands) in 5 min. From sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric enzyme assay for prolidase, we have found that the homogenates obtained were as good or even better than that obtained used a manual glass-on-Teflon (DuPont, Wilmington, DE) homogenization protocol (all-glass tube and Teflon pestle). Use of the Bio-Mixer 1200 to homogenize animal or human tissue precludes the need to stay in the cold room as is the case with the other hands-on homogenization methods available, in addition to freeing up time for other experiments.
Arthritis and Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, 825 NE 13th Street, OK 73104, USA. biji-kurien@omrf.ouhsc.edu
Biji T
BT
Kurien
Andrew C
AC
Porter
Nisha C
NC
Patel
Sadamu
S
Kurono
Hiroyuki
H
Matsumoto
R Hal
RH
Scofield
D000818:Animals; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000737:chemistry; D013594:Syringes; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D014020:Tissue Extracts