title: Staining proteins in gels.
abstract: This unit describes protocols for detecting protein in a gel by Coomassie blue, silver, or fluorescent staining. As a general protein stain, Coomassie is easier and more rapid; however, fluorescent and silver staining methods are considerably more sensitive and thus can be used to detect smaller amounts of protein. Fluorescent staining is a popular alternative to traditional staining procedures, mainly because it is more sensitive than Coomassie staining, and often as sensitive as silver staining. Alternate protocols describe rapid Coomassie and silver staining methods, as well as fluorescent stains that are specific for phosphoproteins and glycoproteins. Staining of proteins in SDS-polyacrylamide gels is described; variations for fluorescent staining of proteins in nondenaturing gels are also included. Support protocols describe photography of stained proteins.
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sasse
authors.forename: Sean R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011506:Proteins; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C048139:Coomassie blue