Chapter 7 - Protein Staining and Detection Methods

Abstract

This chapter discusses the protein staining and detection methods. The use of organic stains for the detection of proteins, along with the development of electrophoretic techniques, eliminated many of the complications inherent in the liquid moving boundary methods. The use of moist filter paper as an electrophoretic support medium or carrier for zonal electrophoretic separation stimulated the adaptation of a number of histochemical stains for the detection of uncolored proteins. Many of these had already been adapted for the visualization of proteins separated by chromatography. These stains were employed after proteins were fixed or made immobile, so that they would not be lost in the staining solutions. Heating the filter paper to 110°C after electrophoresis was one of the first methods of fixing proteins. Early general protein stains included Bromophenol blue and Amido black. The chapter discusses current gel-electrophoresis protein detection methods to help the investigator to choose the best method for each application, and to indicate areas that might benefit from further development.