On-line detection of proteins in gel electrophoresis by ultraviolet absorption and by native fluorescence utilizing a charge-coupled device imaging system

Slab-gel electrophoresis is the most common technique for the separation of high molecular weight biomolecules such a proteins. Acrylamide gels, as described by Laemmli, are generally the matrix of choice for the separation of SDS-denatured proteins via electrophoresis. Agarose gels, similar to those used for nucleic acids, are also useful for the separation of proteins but have not been widely applied. Agarose gels are advantageous for many reasons including simplicity of gel casting, easy sample recovery, and the fact that it is nontoxic to both the experimenter and the proteins. In the past, agarose was not used because of its poor resolving power at molecular weights below 40,000. New agarose gel systems are available that will resolve proteins ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 with or without SDS denaturing. In this study, agarose gel was chosen for its optical qualities and ability to be cast in an open system that can be imaged as the experiment is running. 17 refs., 7 figs.