A luminescent ruthenium complex for ultrasensitive detection of proteins immobilized on membrane supports

SYPRO Ruby protein blot stain provides a sensitive, gentle, fluorescence-based method for detecting proteins on nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes. SYPRO Ruby dye is a permanent stain composed of ruthenium as part of an organic complex that interacts noncovalently with proteins. Stained proteins can be excited by ultraviolet light of about 302 nm or with visible light of about 470 nm. Fluorescence emission of the dye is approximately 618 nm. The stain can be visualized using a wide range of excitation sources utilized in image analysis systems including a UV-B transilluminator, 488-nm argon-ion laser, 532-nm yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser, blue fluorescent light bulb, or blue light-emitting diode (LED). The detection sensitivity of SYPRO Ruby protein blot stain (0.25-1 ng protein/mm(2)) is superior to that of amido black, Coomassie blue, and india ink staining and nearly matches colloidal gold staining. SYPRO Ruby protein blot stain visualizes proteins more rapidly than colloidal gold stain and the linear dynamic range is more extensive. Unlike colloidal gold stain, SYPRO Ruby protein blot stain is fully compatible with subsequent biochemical applications including colorimetric and chemiluminescent immunoblotting, Edman-based sequencing and mass spectrometry.     

ProteomIQ blue, a potent post-stain for the visualization and subsequent mass spectrometry based identification of fluorescent stained proteins on 2D-gels

Manual spot excision for protein identification from fluorescent stained two-dimensional (2-D) gels is hard to accomplish. Here, we explore the use of ProteomIQ Blue as a post-stain method for the visualization of fluorescent stained/labeled proteins. We show that ProteomIQ Blue post-staining is almost as sensitive as staining with SYPRO Ruby or cyanine dyes alone. More than 90% of the protein spots that are stained with the fluorescent stains are still detectable with ProteomIQ Blue. In protein identification by mass spectrometry, ProteomIQ Blue post-stained spots provide high sensitivity and high protein sequence coverage of the peptide mass maps in both MALDI-TOF-MS and ESI-MS/MS analyses. In conclusion, post-staining of fluorescent stained gels with ProteomIQ Blue provides a facile and a powerful method to achieve quantitative protein analysis as well as protein identification in the same semianalytical gel without requiring sophisticated/expensive robotic equipment.     

Detection of fluorescence dye-labeled proteins in 2-D gels using an Arthur 1442 Multiwavelength Fluoroimager

Labeling of proteins with SYPRO Orange, SYPRO Red, and SYPRO Ruby after 2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) using plastic-backed immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips and precast SDS polyacrylamide gels was tested. Protein spots were detected using an Arthur 1442 Multiwavelength Fluoroimager. The labeling methods described allow detection of proteins both after isoelectric focusing (IEF) and PAGE with a sensitivity higher than or comparable to standard silver staining methods. In addition to the post-labeling methods mentioned above, pre-labeling with the cysteine-specific fluorophore monobromobimane before 2-D PAGE is a sensitive, fast, and cost-effective alternative to existing staining protocols.     

A sensitive method for determining the phosphorylation status of natriuretic peptide receptors: cGK-Ialpha does not regulate NPR-A

Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A) and natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPR-B) are transmembrane guanylyl cyclases that catalyze the synthesis of cGMP in response to natriuretic peptides. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation regulate these receptors and have been traditionally studied by (32)PO(4) labeling of transfected cells. However, this approach cannot be used to determine the phosphorylation state of receptors isolated from unlabeled sources. Here, we use Pro-Q Diamond and SYPRO Ruby dyes to quantify the phosphorylation status and protein levels, respectively, of natriuretic peptide receptors from tissues and cells. Strong Pro-Q Diamond signals for NPR-A and NPR-B were obtained when receptors were isolated from lung tissue, liver tissue and overexpressing cells. The level of NPR-A Pro-Q staining was also high in kidney but was much lower in heart tissue. In contrast, the SYPRO Ruby protein signal was weaker and more variable. In a direct comparison, Pro-Q Diamond staining was as sensitive as but more specific than the (32)PO(4) labeling method. The two approaches were highly correlated (R(2) = 0.98). We exploited these techniques to measure the effect of cGMP-dependent protein kinase Ialpha on the phosphate content and guanylyl cyclase activity of NPR-A. Neither value was significantly affected in cells overexpressing cGK-Ialpha or in tissues from mice lacking cGK-I. We conclude that cGK-I does not regulate the cyclase activity or phosphorylation state of NPR-A. Furthermore, we find that Pro-Q Diamond staining is a sensitive method for measuring the phosphate levels of natriuretic peptide receptors, but protein levels are best detected by Western blot analysis, not SYPRO Ruby staining.     

Nano-scale proteomics approach using two-dimensional fibrin zymography combined with fluorescent SYPRO ruby dye

In general, a SYPRO Ruby dye is well known as a sensitive fluorescence-based method for detecting proteins by one-or two-dimensional SDS-PAGE (1-DE or 2-DE). Based on the SYPRO Ruby dye system, the combined two-dimensional fibrin zymography (2-D FZ) with SYPRO Ruby staining was newly developed to identify the Bacillus sp. proteases. Namely, complex protein mixtures from Bacillus sp. DJ-4, which were screened from Doen-Jang (Korean traditional fermented food), showed activity on the zymogram gel. The gel spots on the SYPRO Ruby gel, which corresponded to the active spots showing on the 2-D FZ gel, were analyzed by a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometric analysis. Five intracellular fibrinolytic enzymes of Bacillus sp. DJ-4 were detected through 2-D FZ. The gel spots on the SYPRO Ruby dye stained 2-D gel corresponding to 2-D FZ were then analyzed by MALID-TOF MS. Three of the five gel spots proved to be quite similar to the ATP-dependent protease, extracellular neutral metalloprotease, and protease of Bacillus subtilis. Also, the extracellular proteases of Bacillus sp. DJ-4 employing this combined system were identified on three gels (e.g., casein, fibrin, and gelatin) and the proteolytic maps were established. This combined system of 2-D zymography and SYPRO Ruby dye should be useful for searching the specific protease from complex protein mixtures of many other sources (e.g., yeast and cancer cell lines).     

Staining Proteins in Gels

Following separation by electrophoretic methods, proteins in a gel can be detected by several staining methods. This unit describes protocols for detecting proteins by four popular methods. Coomassie blue staining is an easy and rapid method. Silver staining, while more time consuming, is considerably more sensitive and can thus 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 is often as sensitive as silver staining. Staining of proteins with SYPRO Orange and SYPRO Ruby are also demonstrated here.Download video file.^{(121M, mp4)}     

A modified Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining method at nanogram sensitivity compatible with proteomic analysis

A more sensitive and convenient Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) staining method for visualizing proteins was developed. Compared with the modifications include the supplement of 10% (v/v) methanol into the fixing solution, an increase of an additional sensitization step and CBB raised from 0.1 to 0.125%. The improved method can detect proteins at nanogram level. The improved method is more sensitive than Blue Silver and more convenient than the Silver protocol. Mass spectrometry results confirmed that it is suitable for subsequent proteomic research.     

A fluorescent natural product for ultra sensitive detection of proteins in one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Lightning Fast is a sensitive fluorescence-based stain for detecting proteins in one-dimensional and two-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels. It contains the fluorophore epicocconone from the fungus Epicoccum nigrum that interacts noncovalently with sodium dodecyl sulfate and protein. Stained proteins can be excited optimally by near-ultraviolet light of about 395 nm or with visible light of about 520 nm. The stain can be excited using a range of sources used in image analysis systems including UVA (ca. 365 nm) and UVB (ca. 302 nm) transilluminators; Xenon-arc lamps; 488 nm and 457 nm Argon-ion lasers; 473 nm and 532 nm neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) solid-state lasers; 543 nm helium-neon lasers, and emerging violet, blue and green diode lasers. Maximum fluorescence emission of the dye is at approximately 610 nm. The limit of detection in one-dimensional gels stained with Lightning Fast protein gel stain is less than 100 pg of protein, rivaling the current limits of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Lightning Fast was found to be considerably more sensitive than SYPRO Ruby, SYPRO Orange, silver and Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 in matched experiments. Staining takes as little as 3.5 h and stained proteins displayed quantitative linearity over more than four orders of magnitude, thereby allowing visualization of entire proteomes. Lightning Fast protein gel staining is compatible with subsequent peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI-MS and Edman-based sequencing chemistry.     

Protein staining influences the quality of mass spectra obtained by peptide mass fingerprinting after separation on 2-d gels. A comparison of staining with coomassie brilliant blue and sypro ruby

When separating protein mixtures on 2-D gels for proteomics purposes, fluorescent staining is superior in sensitivity and linear response as compared to Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) and silver staining, respectively. We have compared the quality of mass spectra for proteins obtained from gels stained with CBB and SYPRO Ruby (SR) and found significant differences. These differences can be seen both in inferior signal/noise ratios and number of peptides detected with the fluorescent stain.     

An improved formulation of SYPRO Ruby protein gel stain: comparison with the original formulation and with a ruthenium II tris (bathophenanthroline disulfonate) formulation

SYPRO Ruby protein gel stain is compatible with a variety of imaging platforms since it absorbs maximally in the ultraviolet (280 nm) and visible (470 nm) regions of the spectrum. Dye localization is achieved by noncovalent, electrostatic and hydrophobic binding to proteins, with signal being detected at 610 nm. Since proteins are not covalently modified by the dye, compatibility with downstream proteomics techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry is assured. The principal limitation of the original formulation of SYPRO Ruby protein gel stain, is that it was only compatible with a limited number of gel fixation procedures. Too aggressive a fixation protocol led to diminished signal intensity and poor detection sensitivity. This is particularly apparent when post-staining gels subjected to labeling with other fluorophores such as Schiff's base staining of glycoproteins with fluorescent hydrazides. Consequently, we have developed an improved formulation of SYPRO Ruby protein gel stain that is fully compatible with commonly implemented protein fixation procedures and is suitable for post-staining gels after detection of glycoproteins using the green fluorescent Pro-Q Emerald 300 glycoprotein stain or detection of beta-glucuronidase using the green fluorescent ELF 97 beta-D-glucuronide. The new stain formulation is brighter, making it easier to manually excise spots for peptide mass profiling. An additional benefit of the improved formulation is that it permits staining of proteins in isoelectric focusing gels, without the requirement for caustic acids.     

Evaluation of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis for protein profiling. Soluble proteins of the marine bacterium Pirellula sp. strain 1

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is a central tool of proteome research, since it allows separation of complex protein mixtures at highest resolution. Quantification of gene expression at the protein level requires sensitive visualization of protein spots over a wide linear range. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) is a new fluorescent technique for protein labeling in 2DE gels. Proteins are labeled prior to electrophoresis with fluorescent CyDyes trade mark and differently labeled samples are then co-separated on the same 2DE gel. We evaluated 2D DIGE for detection and quantification of proteins specific for glucose or N-acetylglucosamine metabolism in the marine bacterium Pirellula sp. strain 1. The experiment was based on 10 parallel 2DE gels. Detection and comparison of the protein spots were performed with the DeCyder trade mark software that uses an internal standard to quantify differences in protein abundance with high statistical confidence; 24 proteins differing in abundance by a factor of at least 1.5 (t test value <10(-9)) were identified. For comparison, another experiment was carried out with four SYPRO-Ruby-stained 2DE gels for each of the two growth conditions; image analysis was done with the ImageMaster trade mark 2D Elite software. Sensitivity of the CyDye fluors was evaluated by comparing Cy2, Cy3, Cy5, SYPRO Ruby, silver, and colloidal Coomassie staining. Three replicate gels, each loaded with 50 microg of protein, were run for each stain and the gels were analyzed with the ImageMaster software. Labeling with CyDyes allowed detection of almost as many protein spots as staining with silver or SYPRO Ruby.     

Mass spectral compatibility of four proteomics stains

With the recent introduction of new fluorescence stains to the proteomics market, there is now more choice available. SYPRO Ruby, LavaPurple, Flamingo, and Krypton total protein stains were compared for ease of use, image quality, and compatibility with protein identification by peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) (MALDI-TOF). All four stains produced good images but with slightly different staining patterns. SYPRO was found to inhibit identification of cysteine and tryptophan containing peptides, which reduced protein identification.     

Improved Ruthenium II tris (bathophenantroline disulfonate) staining and destaining protocol for a better signal-to-background ratio and improved baseline resolution

In proteomics the ability to visualize proteins from electropherograms is essential. Here a new protocol for staining and destaining gels treated with Ruthenium II tris (bathophenantroline disulfonate) is presented. The method is compared with the silver-staining procedure of Swain and Ross, the Ruthenium II tris (bathophenantroline disulfonate) stain described by Rabilloud (Rabilloud T., Strub, S. M. Luche, S., Girardet, S. L. et al., Proteomics 2001, 1, 699-704) and the SYPRO Ruby gel stain. The method offers a better signal-to-background ratio with improved baseline resolution for both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and two-dimensional gels.     

Comparison of SYPRO Ruby and Flamingo fluorescent stains for application in proteomic research

Fluorescent dyes are widely used for the detection and quantitation of proteins separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SYPRO Ruby is one such fluorescent dye widely used for this purpose. More recently, another fluorescent dye, Flamingo, is available for expression proteomic research. Using a standard ultraviolet (UV) transilluminator and a charge-coupled device (CCD)-based imaging system, the relative sensitivity of these two different fluorescent stains with regard to detection of protein spots separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) and identification by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) were compared. Using mouse kidney and liver homogenates as well as Escherichia coli extract, we detected a greater number of protein spots using Flamingo compared with SYPRO Ruby. In addition, when we compared the number of matched peptides and the percentage of amino acid residues identified for 22 different protein spots of mouse kidney proteome, we observed a higher number of matched peptides and a higher percentage of amino acid residues for the majority of the proteins using Flamingo compared with SYPRO Ruby. Also, we were able to characterize a protein spot that can be detected by Flamingo only. Therefore, we recommend Flamingo over SYPRO Ruby to be used for studies on expression proteomics.     

A comprehensive evaluation of imidazole‐zinc reverse stain for current proteomic researches

In this paper, we comprehensively evaluated the capability of imidazole‐zinc reverse stain (ZN) in comparative proteomics. Three commonly used protein gel staining methods, including silver (SN), SYPRO Ruby (SR), and CB stain were investigated alongside for comparison purpose. A transparency scanning procedure, which may deliver more even and contrasting gel images, was found best for documenting ZN stained gels. Our results showed that ZN was more sensitive than SN, SR, and CB. It may reveal as few as 1.8 ng of proteins in a gel. Moreover, ZN was found to provide a linear dynamic range of staining for revealing proteins up to 140 ng, and show an insignificant staining preference. To analyze a ZN stained 2‐D gel image that generally comprises an apparent but even background, the Melanie 4 software was found more suitable than others. Furthermore, ZN demonstrated an equivalent or better MS compatibility than the other three staining methods. Intense and comprehensive MS profiles were frequently observed for ZN stained gel spots. Approximate two‐third of ZN stained gel spots were successfully identified for protein identities. Taken together, our results suggest that the prompt, cost effective and versatile ZN is well suited for current proteomic researches.     

Comparison of SYPRO Ruby and Deep Purple using commonly available UV transilluminator: wide-scale application in proteomic research

Fluorescent stains are becoming increasingly useful in proteomics research involving protein expression as well as post-translational modification studies and are particularly useful for samples which are expensive and scarce. The fluorescent dyes Deep Purple and SYPRO Ruby are widely used in protein expression studies. Using UV transillumination and Charged Coupled Device (CCD) based imaging system, their relative sensitivity to detect proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and downstream protein identification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was compared. Using mouse liver homogenate, we detected a greater number of spots using SYPRO Ruby over Deep Purple stain. However, the number of matched peptides and the percentage of amino acid residues identified for 21 different proteins were comparable suggesting their equivalency for LC-MS/MS identification. In spite of comparable MS compatibility, we recommend the use of SYPRO Ruby for expression proteomics due to its higher sensitivity in detecting protein spots.     

Use of a fluorescent internal protein standard to achieve quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

2-DE is a powerful separation method for complex protein mixtures. However, large intergel variations in spot intensity limit its use for quantitative proteomics studies. To address this issue, we developed a fluorescent internal protein standard for use in 2-DE analysis. Protein samples are spiked with an Alexa-labeled internal standard (ALIS) prior to separation with 2-DE. Due to the high extinction coefficient of the Alexa-fluor, incorporation of 0.1% of total protein is sufficient to allow visualization of the internal standard yet low enough to avoid interference in subsequent quantification and identification steps. Following 2-DE, total proteins are visualized with fluorescent postelectrophoretic stains spectrally separated from ALIS. Four protein stains, Deep Purple, Sulforhodamine G, ruthenium II-tris(bathophenanthroline disulfonate) (RuTBS), and SYPRO Ruby, including improved purification and staining protocols for RuTBS and ten-fold dilutions of SYPRO Ruby were evaluated. All staining protocols were compatible with the ALIS method and had similar LODs (1-4 ng) and dynamic ranges (10(3)). ALIS is a powerful normalization method for quantitative 2-DE which avoids potential problems associated with dual spot migration patterns observed in the DIGE method. Furthermore, ALIS provides significantly improved normality in the distribution of spot abundance-variance compared to normalization through division by the total spot volume.     

Staining efficiency of specific proteins depends on the staining method: wheat gluten proteins

To analyze gluten proteins involved in celiac disease (CD) by proteomic analysis, prolamins extracted from hexaploid wheat varieties were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and 2-DE. Differences between staining methods (CBB, silver nitrate, SYPRO Ruby, and CyDye) were analyzed in comparison to immunoblotting. Staining efficiency varied per protein across methods, and complete staining of all gluten proteins could not be achieved by one of these methods. Care should be taken in the selection of staining method especially if one wants to relate the results to data obtained by immunoblotting.     

Development of improved cell lysis, solubilization and imaging approaches for proteomic analyses

Analysis of complex biochemical processes at the level of the proteome requires methods that quantitatively solubilize cytosolic and membrane bound proteins yet are compatible with isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, it is often necessary to employ several highly sensitive detection methods to identify key proteins that are modified or exhibit a change in expression levels in response to a given experimental stimulus or condition. Methods were developed that efficiently extract tissues or lyse cultured cells and quantitatively solubilize proteins in a single step without the need to shear nucleic acids. These approaches utilize urea, thiourea, a mixture of detergents, low levels of an ampholyte blend, reductant and a combination of alcohols. To aid in the detection of low abundance proteins and the accurate identification of specific proteins of interest in these samples, two approaches were pursued. In one, proteins are transferred from two-dimensional (2-D) gels to blot membranes. Proteins are then detected by staining with SYPRO Ruby and the resulting 2-D protein pattern is captured using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The blots are then probed with antibodies directed against the protein(s) or functionalities of interest. The resulting chemiluminescent blot image is also generated with the CCD camera and the fluorescent SYPRO Ruby image is recaptured again without moving the membrane. It is thereby possible to generate a direct image overlay of the blot pattern on that of the stained protein pattern. This approach significantly aids in the accurate identification of the dye-stained protein that is detected by the specific antibody. In addition to detecting protein post-gel transfer, a second approach utilizes protein samples labeled with fluorescent dyes prior to 2-D electrophoresis in an effort to increase the sensitivity of protein detection and to facilitate protein quantitation. It is also possible to stain the blots with different dyes and overlay these images as well. Using these approaches, it is possible to perform more rapid and accurate comparative analyses and proteomic, post-gel characterization of proteins of interest than using comparative image analysis of multiple gels.     

Design and synthesis of ICT-based fluorescent probe for high-sensitivity protein detection and application to rapid protein staining for SDS-PAGE

A novel fluorescent molecular probe possessing styryl, sulfonyl, and cyanopyranyl moieties that was termed compound 1 was designed and synthesized to detect proteins through noncovalent bonding. Compound 1 did not produce fluorescence emission in the absence of proteins. However, its fluorescence spectrum showed a dramatic increase in the fluorescence intensity and strong orange emission after the addition of BSA. These changes were caused by intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The fluorescence intensities of compound 1 were plotted as a function of the protein concentrations. A good linear relationship was observed up to a protein concentration of 325 mug/mL, and the detection limit was 70 ng/mL under the given assay conditions; this detection limit was higher than that of previously reported compounds. To demonstrate the application of compound 1, proteins in an SDS-PAGE gel were stained with compound 1 and were successfully imaged with a higher sensitivity and shorter staining operation time as compared to those of the silver staining method and SYPRO Ruby staining method. Thus, easy and high-sensitivity protein detection can be performed with the fluorescent probe, and this probe is ideally suited to proteomic applications.