1) Carry out SDS-PAGE (cassette size approx. 80 x 80 mm). For
analytical runs, load 5-20 micrograms of protein per well; for
preparatory purposes, use 600-800 micrograms of total cell or tissue
homogenate per gel. Apply constant voltage at 70-140 V or 1-2 hours
until the tracking dye migrates 1.0 cm from the gel end. Many simple
techniques for preparing gel slabs have been described in the literature
and in the book: ''Disc electrophoresis and related techniques of
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis'' by H.R. Maurer (de Gruyter; Berlin,
New York, 1971).
2. Protein Blotting
1) Build the transfer "sandwich" onto the anode( ) plate as
follows: 2 sheets blotting paper soaked in 0.3 M TRIZMA base, 20%
methanol, 1 sheet blotting paper soaked in 0.025 M TRIZMA base, 20%
methanol, NC membrane pre-wet with deionized water, Slab gel, 3 sheets
blotting paper soaked with 0.02 M TRIZMA. base, 20% methanol, 5.25 mg/ml epsilon-aminocaproic acid.
2) Carry out the transfer at 90 mA for 1.5 hours at room temperature.
3) Remove the NC membrane from the apparatus and air dry the NC blot thoroughly.
Note: The dry membrane may be stored at 2-8 °C between two sheets of blotting paper in a plastic sleeve.
3. Immuno-Detection
The following incubation and washing steps are carried out at room
temperature on an orbital shaker platform. Primary antibody is diluted
in 1% normal serum from the secondary antibody host animal in TBS. Other
non-interfering proteins (e.g., BSA, hemoglobin, ovalbumin) may be
substituted.
1) Cut the membrane into strips. Place the NC strips, with the
side in contact with the gel during the transfer facing up, in the
troughs.
2) Block NC blot using 5% w/v BSA in TBS, overnight at 4 °C or 2
hrs. at room temperature. The choice of blocking reagent depends on the
type of probe that will be subsequently used in the overlay procedure
and should be chosen accordingly.
3) Remove the blocking buffer.
4) Overlay the blot with 5 ml primary antibody at an appropriate
dilution (generally 1:50-1:500). Incubate for 1-3 hours at room
temperature on shaker.
5) Wash the NC strips four times for 5 minutes each, with sufficient TBS/Tween.
6) Incubate the strips for 1 hour in alkaline
phosphatase-secondary antibody conjugate at an appropriate dilution.
(1:30,000 for upgraded alkaline phosphatase conjugates) in TBS/Tween.
7) Wash the strips as in step 4. Rinse 3 times in TBS for 5 minutes each.
8) Prepare SIGMA FASTTM BCIP/NBT Tablets according to package directions. Liquid BCIP/NBT substrate may be used (Product No. B1911).
9) Incubate the NC strips in the substrate mixture for 10-30 minutes until color development.
10) Stop the reaction by washing the strips in several changes of distilled water.
11) Air dry the strips and store in the dark in a plastic sleeve.
Note: The dry membrane may be stored at 2-8 °C between two sheets of blotting paper in a plastic sleeve.