Evaluation of different methods for the detection of outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides of Pasteurella haemolytica by immunoblotting

Abstract

The optimal conditions for the detection of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Pasteurella haemolytica by immunoblotting were evaluated. The variables examined included the equilibration time of the gels before transfer, composition of the transfer buffer, type of blotting membrane, blocking agent, effect of the zwitterionic detergent Empigen BB on protein renaturation, and the development reagent. The composition of the transfer buffer and time of gel equilibration significantly affected the efficiency of transfer of both OMPs and LPS. However, the optimal conditions for the transfer of OMPs were not the same as those for LPS. Thus, optimal transfer of OMPs occurred in Tris-glycine buffer, with prior equilibration of the gels to allow for expansion, whereas optimal transfer of LPS was achieved in Tris-glycine-methanol buffer with no equilibration of the gels. In Tris-glycine-methanol buffer, gel equilibration resulted in a significantly reduced transfer of both OMPs and LPS, probably due to the removal of SDS from these components. The use of Zeta-Probe blotting membrane which, unlike nitrocellulose, does not require methanol for optimal protein binding, did not result in improved binding of OMPs or LPS in the absence of methanol and, even after prolonged blocking (> 2 h), gave higher background staining than did nitrocellulose. Effective blocking of nitrocellulose was achieved with 3% (w/v) gelatine, 2.5% (w/v) skimmed milk or 0.3% (v/v) Tween 20, whereas increased background staining occurred with 1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin or 1% (w/v) ovalbumin. The incorporation of Empigen BB in the primary antibody buffer did not improve antibody recognition of proteins as a result of their renaturation. For the horseradish-peroxidase enzyme development system, the substrate 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride was more sensitive, and developed more quickly, than 4-chloro-1-naphthol, but faded more rapidly after drying of the membrane. 4-chloro-1-naphthol was more suitable for identifying OMPs because less background staining occurred, whereas 3,3′-diamino-benzidine tetrahydrochloride was more suitable for the detection of LPS due to its greater sensitivity.