Acrolein-Schiff, a new staining method for proteins.

Abstract

A cytochemical method based on the reaction of acrolein with tissue compounds followed by staining with the Schiff reagent is described. The reaction is completely blocked by acetylation. Filter paper spot tests of carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins revealed a high specificity for proteins. All proteins except the argininerich protamines were positive in the concentrations tested. Carbohydrates, as well as ribonucleic acid, were negative; deoxyribonucleic acid reacted weakly, probably as a result of a contamination. Tests with compounds of low molecular weight revealed that amino acids were positive, nucleic acid derivatives negative. Arguments are given that the double bond of acrolein reacts with SH, with aliphatic NH2 and NH groups, and with the imidazole group. The use of this method as a cytochemical stain in combination with Feulgen, thionine-SO2 staining is indicated, especially for chromosome studies. The method also seems applicable to paper and agar electrophoresis.