Electroelution of fixed and stained membrane proteins from preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels into a membrane trap

The membrane trap is a new device for the electroelution of all kinds of charged macromolecules from gels. Instead of dialysis membranes, the membrane trap uses a new membrane. Retention of macromolecules in an electric field by dialysis membranes depends on the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the buffer. The new membrane retains all charged macromolecules larger than approximately 5000 Da without adsorbing them, independent of the use of SDS. Here we report the electroelution of five different lipophilic membrane proteins (33 to 193 kDa) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gels into a 300-microliter recovery volume. After an 8-h elution period, recovery ranged from 80 (193 kDa) to 97% (33 kDa). The "losses" were generally due to proteins still remaining in the gel slice. All of the eluted proteins tested in a dot-blot assay proved to be antigenically active. The advantages of the device described here are easy handling (insertion of membranes, open system), quantitative recovery, and high reproducibility of the elution results.     

Rapid transfer of DNA from agarose gels to nylon membranes.

The unique properties of nylon membranes allow for dramatic improvement in the capillary transfer of DNA restriction fragments from agarose gels (Southern blotting). By using 0.4 M NaOH as the transfer solvent following a short pre-treatment of the gel in acid, DNA is depurinated during transfer. Fragments of all sizes are eluted and retained quantitatively by the membrane; furthermore, the alkaline solvent induces covalent fixation of DNA to the membrane. The saving in time and materials afforded by this simple modification is accompanied by a marked improvement in resolution and a ten-fold increase in sensitivity of subsequent hybridization analyses. In addition, we have found that nylon membrane completely retains native (and denatured) DNA in transfer solvents of low ionic strength (including distilled water), although quantitative elution of DNA from the gel is limited to fragments smaller than 4 Kb. This property can be utilized in the direct electrophoretic transfer of native restriction fragments from polyacrylamide gels. Exposure of DNA to ultraviolet light, either in the gel or following transfer to nylon membrane, reduces its ability to hybridize.     

Quantitative electrotransfer of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels onto positively charged nylon membranes

A method for the reproducible and quantitative electrotransfer of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels to a single sheet of either Zetabind or Gene Screen Plus membranes is presented. This procedure uses commercially available equipment and includes three crucial parameters: the omission of methanol from the transfer buffer, the use of thin (0.75-mm) resolving gels, and a newly developed protocol for pretreatment of the polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis and before electroblotting. This combination of parameters yields a blot that both qualitatively and quantitatively reflects the proteins in the original polyacrylamide gel.     

Simultaneous electroelution and concentration of DNA fragments from agarose gels

A rapid and inexpensive method for the electroelution of DNA fragments from agarose gels is described. DNA fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with ethidium bromide. Selected DNA fragments were placed into electroeluter tubes capped with dialysis membrane and electroeluted into a small volume of buffer using a conventional horizontal gel electrophoresis apparatus. The method successfully eluted and concentrated DNA fragments with molecular weights ranging from 2.7 to 13.9 MDa in 3 h.     

Recovery of DNA from agarose gels using a modified Elutrap.

We have made a significant improvement in the electroelution device, Elutrap (Schleicher and Schuell) by substituting an agarose gel barrier, which is made from 0.6% agarose (SeaKem GTG; FMC Corporation), into the elution chamber in place of the manufacturer specified BT2 membrane. This modification substantially increases the DNA recovery from agarose gels, even in samples containing less than 1 microgram of DNA, and shortens elution times particularly for large sizes of DNA (greater than 4.4 kbp). Additionally, the gel barrier provides a reproducible quantity and quality of DNA recovery. The high quality of the eluted DNA using the modified Elutrap makes this system suitable for further DNA manipulations.     

Efficient transfer of proteins from acetic acid-urea and isoelectric-focusing gels to nitrocellulose membrane filters with retention of protein antigenicity

A method which facilitates the rapid and quantitative electrophoretic transfer of proteins from gels not containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to nitrocellulose membranes is described. The equilibration of non-SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic gels in a buffer containing SDS confers a net negative charge to the proteins present, presumably as a result of the formation of SDS-protein complexes. Proteins from gels equilibrated in the SDS buffer and then electroblotted in a Tris-glycine buffer at pH 8.3 are transferred with much greater efficiency than are proteins from untreated gels. The method has been shown to significantly enhance the electrophoretic transfer of polyoma viral proteins resolved in either acetic acid-urea or isoelectric-focusing gels to nitrocellulose membranes, and it is suggested that the method should have universal applicability to all gel electrophoresis systems currently employed. The proteins from isoelectric-focusing gels treated with SDS and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes were found to retain antigenicity to antisera prepared against either denatured or native viral proteins.     

N-terminal amino acid sequence of persimmon fruit beta-galactosidase.

beta-Galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) from persimmon fruit was purified 114-fold with a 15% yield using Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, CM-Sephadex ion exchange, and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography, with subsequent electroelution from nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gels. The estimated molecular mass of the native beta-galactosidase by Sephacryl S-200 was 118 kD. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE of the enzyme electroeluted from native gels, two subunits with estimated molecular masses of 34 and 44 kD were observed, suggesting that the native enzyme was an aggregate of several subunits. Amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two major subunits were different.     

Electroelution of DNA and protein from polyacrylamide and agarose gels

An electroelution method is described for the recovery of DNA and protein from agarose or polyacrylamide gels. The samples to be electroeluted are compartmentalized in a modified microcentrifuge tube fitted with dialysis membranes. This procedure is simple, rapid, inexpensive and efficient. Within 30 min to 2 hrs, the recovery of the sample is nearly quantitative. DNA fragments recovered can be directly subjected to DNA sequence analysis or enzymatic reactions after ethanol precipitation. Proteins can also be recovered after separation by acrylamide gel in the presence or absence of detergents and be ready for further analysis.     

Transfer of SDS-proteins from gel electrophoretic zones into mass spectrometry, using electroelution of the band into buffer without sectioning of the gel

Five SDS-proteins, ranging in molecular weight from 14 to 66 kDa, were detected without covalent fluorescent labeling by the automated gel electrophoresis apparatus with intermittent fluorescence scanning (HPGE apparatus, LabIntelligence) during electrophoresis in barbiturate buffer in the presence of Cascade Blue. The SDS-proteins were electroeluted from the gel into 220 microl of buffer by a modification of the procedure of Gombocz and Cortez. The electroeluate was freed of SDS, ultrafiltered and subjected to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The masses of the five native proteins were found to be maintained after electrophoresis and electroelution in the presence of the potential contaminants SDS, barbituric acid and Cascade Blue. The procedure of protein transfer from SDS-PAGE into mass spectrometry, without excision of bands, gel maceration and protein recovery by diffusion, therefore is shown to be suitable for the identification by mass of intact proteins derived from gel electrophoretic bands.     

Efficacy and compatibility with mass spectrometry of methods for elution of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and polyvinyldifluoride membranes

The resolving power of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) combined with isoelectric focusing in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has made it one of the most important techniques for resolving complex mixtures, and it is of great importance for proteome mapping projects. As a result of this, methods for postelectrophoretic protein characterization are of great interest as exemplified by in situ protease digestion combined with mass spectrometry (MS), which is the method of choice for identification of proteins. In this study we have developed and compared methods for recovering intact proteins from polyacrylamide gels and electroblotting membranes to define efficient methods compatible with MS. These methods complement in situ digestion protocols and allow determination of the molecular mass of whole proteins separated by SDS-PAGE. Passive elution of proteins from SDS-PAGE gels was efficient only in the presence of SDS, whereas electroelution was achieved using buffers without SDS. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization MS (SELDI-MS) analysis of proteins eluted in the presence of SDS was possible using ion exchange ProteinChip arrays for concentration of sample and removal of SDS. Comparison of different electroblotting methods verified that the different membranes and buffers were equally efficient for transfer of proteins in the range 20-100 kDa. Elution from polyvinyldifluoride membranes was most efficient using either concentrated solutions of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) or combinations of 8M urea and 1% Triton X-100, 1% Tween 20, or 40% isopropanol. The same result was obtained using nitrocellulose membranes, except that these were incompatible with organic solvent and TFA. Elution by TFA was compatible with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS (MALDI-MS) but was complicated by a high degree of trifluoroacetylation of the proteins. Alternatively, elution by 8M urea+1% Triton X-100, 1% Tween 20, or 40% isopropanol was compatible with both SELDI-MS and MALDI-MS. Eluted proteins were identified in MS experiments by intact mass determination, by peptide mapping, and by MS/MS analysis.     

Visualization and elution of unstained proteins from polyacrylamide gels

Proteins fractionated by electrophoresis on 18% polyacrylamide gels with low crosslinking can be directly visualized by ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence and can be recovered by electroelution.     

Single-step electroelution of proteins from SDS-polyacrylamide gels and immobilization on diisothiocyanate-glass beads in prepacked capillary columns for solid-phase microsequencing

A new method for immobilization of proteins purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) prior to sequencing is described. It utilizes a simple apparatus that permits the simultaneous electroelution of proteins from gel slices and attachment to diisothiocyanate-activated glass beads prepacked in capillary tubes [S-P. Liang and R. A. Laursen, Anal. Biochem. 188, 366-373 (1990)]. Transfer/attachment yields of greater than 80% within 90 min were observed for several 125I-labeled proteins with a range of molecular weights using 0.2 M sodium phosphate (pH 8.9) buffer containing 0.1% SDS. The method has the advantage of high capacity, relative simplicity, and insensitivity to the presence of SDS and Coomassie blue stain. The highest transfer yields were obtained when proteins were run on gels which had been aged for at least 12 h. For 100- to 1000-pmol samples, the sequenceable amount of protein, including transfer, was generally 30-60%, with an average repetitive yield of 95%. Factors which influence sample recovery and sequencing yield are discussed.     

Protein purification from polyacrylamide gels by sonication extraction

A protein purification procedure using sonication extraction from polyacrylamide gels (PAGE), which involves identification of a particular protein band and its excision, homogenization, sonication, and subsequent passage through a Sephadex G-25 minicolumn, is reported. Our results show a high degree of recovery regardless of the nature of the protein (soluble or membrane bound) or the characteristics of the gel (SDS-PAGE, native gels, or Tricine-SDS-PAGE). The percentage of recovery was dependent on the protein concentration applied in the gel. This technique is fast, gives high yield, provides good resolution, and can be used without any specialized equipment. The method was tested with a wide variety of membranes and soluble proteins and was found to give good results and to be applicable to different studies. The amino acid sequence of one of the purified proteins (Rf 0.45 stallion ejaculated sperm protein) was determined successfully.     

Electroelution as a simple and fast protein purification method: isolation of an extracellular xylanase from Bacillus sp. CCMI 966

An efficient and simple modified method of electroelution is described that can be used as a time-saving method for eluting multiple protein bands. Provided that the proteins are highly expressed, they can be purified rapidly and without requiring any prior knowledge of the protein characteristics. A xylanase excreted by Bacillus sp. CCMI 966 was purified directly from the polyacrylamide gel. Some of the properties of this enzyme are presented. It had an unusually apparent high molecular mass of 340kDa, as determined by native PAGE. The specific activity of the purified xylanase was 137 U/mg.     

On the electrotransfer of polypeptides from gels to nitrocellulose membranes

The conditions which affect the elution of polypeptides from polyacrylamide gels by electrophoresis and polypeptide-nitrocellulose interactions have been studied. The rate of elution of polypeptides from a 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel is dependent on the molecular weight of the individual polypeptides, which is in agreement with the results of W. N. Burnette (Anal. Biochem. 112, 195 (1981)). We also observed that current density affects the rate of elution. Polypeptides smaller than 20,000 daltons pass through pores of 0.45 microns, but not through the pores of 0.1-microns nitrocellulose membranes during electrophoresis. The nonionic detergent NP-40 inhibits the binding of polypeptides to nitrocellulose and removes prebound polypeptides from the membranes. Amido black and Coomassie blue staining and destaining processes do not remove the bound polypeptides from the membranes, but may affect the antigenicity of polypeptides. Polypeptides immobilized on nitrocellulose can be stored at -70 degrees C for future use.     

Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from fixed and stained gels

A procedure by which sodium dodecyl sulfate gels can be fixed and stained with Coomassie blue and subsequently transferred to nitrocellulose for immunostaining is outlined. The procedure involves the complete removal of the stain followed by equilibration of the gel in sodium dodecyl sulfate running buffer. The efficiency of transfer is comparable to unfixed gels and the protein pattern of the transfer appears to be sharper, presumably due to less diffusion during the transfer process. The procedure does not affect the antigenicity of the proteins that have been examined by subsequent immunostaining. This method is particularly useful for situations in which sample size or concentration are limiting factors resulting in insufficient material for duplicate gels.     

Purification and characterization of a protein antigen from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo, common to a wide range of bacteria

A protein with a molecular mass of 64 kDa (P64) from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo was partially purified by using successively, phase partitioning with Triton X-114, ion-exchange chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Purification to homogeneity was obtained by electroelution of P64 from SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Monospecific rabbit antiserum (R alpha P64) was prepared using the purified protein preparation. P64 had a native molecular mass of greater than 670 kDa and was recognized by R alpha P64 as well as by human antisera. Western blotting of leptospiral serovars and 18 other bacterial species with R alpha P64 showed that P64 was cross-reactive with an equivalent antigen in a wide range of bacteria, indicating that it belongs to a family of antigens previously designated 'common antigen'. This putative common antigen from Leptospira appears to have a sub-surface location, but its function is not yet known.     

Western blots using stained protein gels.

A general method is described for the electrophoretic transfer of proteins from stained gels to membranes and subsequent Western detection of specific proteins on the stained membranes. Proteins are separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the gels are stained using either of two different methods followed by electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose or Immobilon-P membranes. The transferred proteins remain stained during immunodetection, providing a set of background markers for protein location and size determination.     

Long-term culture of functional hepatocytes on chemically modified collagen gels

For long-term maintenance of functional hepatocytes in primary culture, a new culture system with chemically modified type-I collagen gel was developed. Isolated hepatocytes spread as flat cells and rapidly lost their viability and functions when cultured on native collagen gel. In contrast, they survived for several weeks when cultured on collagen gels that had been modified by treatment with sodium-borohydride (NaBH₄) or by digestion with pepsin, which resulted in destruction of crosslinking of collagen fibers and marked decrease in meachanical strength of the gels. These long-lived cells were round and aggregated and maintained high levels of various differentiated liver functions including albumin secretion and activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and P450. Moreover on collagen gels modified by treatment with NaBH₄ or pepsin, the cell showed less DNA synthesis in response to mitogenic stimulation than cells cultures on gel containing native collagen. Interestingly, crosslinking of these chemically modified gels with D-ribose resulted in changes in various phenotypes of hepatocytes cultures on them including shape, longevity, and functions expressed when the cells were cultured on native collagen gel, suggesting that the effect of modification of the collagen gel is reversible. Thus the structure of collagen gels, probably due to the degree of crosslinking, seems to affect the morphology, maintenance of differentiated functions, and growth of primary cultured hepatocytes.     

Tips on improving the efficiency of electrotransfer of target proteins from Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE gel

The sensitivity of Western blotting analysis after Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE is occasionally inferior to that after normal (Phos‐tag‐free) SDS‐PAGE under similar experimental conditions, possibly as a result of inefficient electrotransfer from the Phos‐tag gel to the blotting membrane. We therefore present tips on improving the efficiency of electrotransfer of proteins in semidry and wet‐tank blotting. When model samples containing several standard phosphoproteins were subjected to semidry blotting, their electrotransfer efficiencies after Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE were markedly inferior to those of their dephosphorylated counterparts in the same gel. This was ameliorated by immersing the electrophoresed Phos‐tag gel in a transfer buffer containing 1 mM EDTA for 30 min before electroblotting. Similarly, phosphoproteomes in crude cell extracts were inefficiently transferred by semidry blotting, but the efficiencies of their electrotransfer were improved by pretreatment with EDTA. In contrast, the efficiencies of wet‐tank blotting of the same samples were not dependent on the degree of phosphorylation, and the efficiencies of electrotransfer of all proteins from Phos‐tag gels were similar to those from normal gels. In some cases involving the use of a Phos‐tag gel, addition of 0.1% w/v of SDS to the transfer buffer significantly improved the electrotransfer.