We thank Simon Alberti for assistance with developing this protocol. This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (GM25874), a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigatorship (to S.L.), and a National Science Foundation predoctoral training grant (to R.H.).

Part 1: Preparing the gel
<ol>
<li>Assemble the gel casting tray. Standard equipment for horizontal DNA electrophoresis can be used. For large numbers of samples, we prepare a 20 cm x 24 cm slab with up to four 50-well combs. Make sure the slab does not have scratches, as these can distort the blot image.</li>
<li>Create a 1.5% agarose solution (medium or high gel-strength, low EEO) in 1X TAE. The volume should be enough to completely submerge the comb teeth -- you will want to load as much sample as possible to maximize detection. Microwave the mixture until the agarose is completely dissolved.</li>
<li>Rapidly add SDS to 0.1% from a 10% stock. Swirl to mix. If some agarose solidifies during this step, redissolve using a hot plate and be careful to avoid boiling.</li>
<li>Pour the solution into the casting tray. Use a comb to rake out any bubbles, as they could later interfere with transfer.</li>
<li>After gel has set, remove combs and place the gel into the gel tank. Completely submerge the gel in 1X TAE containing 0.1% SDS.</li>
</ol>
Part 2: Preparing samples
<ol>
<li>For high-throughput analysis of yeast lysates, we start with 2-ml cultures grown overnight with rapid agitation in 96-well blocks. In this case, each culture is overexpressing a protein of interest. When analyzing low abundance proteins, larger culture volumes must be used </li>
<li>Harvest cells by centrifugation at 2000 RCF for 5 min at room temperature. </li>
<li>Resuspend cells in water and centrifuge again.</li>
<li>Resuspend in 1 ml spheroplasting solution. Incubate for approximately 30 min at 30&deg;C (you may confirm spheroplasting efficiency by microscopy). </li>
<li>Centrifuge at 800 RCF for 5 min at room temperature. Completely remove supernatant.</li>
<li>Resuspend pelleted spheroplasts in 100 ml lysis buffer. </li>
<li>Cover the block with tape and vortex on high speed for 2 min.</li>
<li>Pellet cellular debris at 4000 RCF for 2 min. </li>
<li>Carefully remove supernatant to a new container, e.g., a 96-well PCR plate. </li>
<li>If desired, determine the protein concentration of the lysates.</li>
<li>Add 4X sample buffer to the samples to generate lysates containing 1X sample buffer. Incubate for 5 min at room temperature.</li>
<li>Load gel. If desired, save half of the sample volume and boil it for SDS-PAGE analysis. In order to monitor the extent of transfer later on, include a pre-stained SDS-PAGE marker. Additionally, a molecular weight marker consisting of very large proteins (e.g., chicken pectoralis extract) can be used to estimate sizes of the resolved complexes.</li>
<li>Run at low voltage (&le; 3 V/cm gel length) until the dye front reaches ~1 cm from the end of the gel. This will take several hours. It is important that the gel remain cool; otherwise diffusion of low molecular weight protein (e.g., monomers) can limit their detection. </li>
</ol>
Part 3: Transfer
<ol>
<li>Cut a piece of nitrocellulose to the same dimensions as the gel. </li>
<li>Cut 20 pieces of GB004 and 8 pieces of GB002 blotting paper, to the same dimensions as the gel. Cut an additional piece of GB004 to be used as a wick; make it about 20 centimeters wider than the gel. </li>
<li>Immerse the nitrocellulose, wick, and 4 pieces of GB002 in 1X TBS. </li>
<li>In a plastic container, assemble a stack of papers as follows: 20 pieces of dry GB004, then 4 pieces of dry GB002, then one piece of pre-wet GB002. Lay the nitrocellulose on top of this stack.</li>
<li>Rinse the gel on the casting tray briefly in water to remove excess running buffer. Then, carefully begin to slide the gel off the tray onto the stack. While sliding the gel off the tray, douse the membrane with TBS as necessary. The extra buffer helps prevent bubbles from becoming trapped under the gel. A transfer pipette works well for this purpose.</li>
<li>After the gel has been moved to the stack, check thoroughly for bubbles. If any are present, lift the edge of the gel and reapply buffer until the bubbles can be worked out.</li>
<li>Put the remaining three pre-wetted GB002 pieces on top of the gel. Ensure thorough contact between all layers by rolling a pipette firmly across the top of the stack.</li>
<li>Flank the transfer stack with two elevated trays containing TBS. Drape the pre-wet wick across the stack such that either end of the wick is submerged in TBS.</li>
<li>Cover the assembled transfer stack with an additional plastic tray bearing extra weight (e.g., a 500 ml bottle of water).</li>
<li>Allow the transfer to proceed for a minimum of three hours, or overnight.</li>
<li>After transfer, the membrane can be processed by standard Western blotting.</li>
</ol>
Spheroplasting Solution 1.2 M D-sorbitol 0.5 mM MgCl2 20 mM Tris, pH 7.5 50 mM BME (add fresh) 0.5 mg/ml Zymolyase 100T (add fresh)
Lysis Buffer 100 mM Tris 7.5 50 mM NaCl 10 mM BME (add fresh) protease inhibitors (add fresh) 4X Sample Buffer 2X TAE 20% glycerol 8% SDS bromophenol blue to preference

<ol>
	<li>Kryndushkin, D. S., Alexandrov, I. M., Ter-Avanesyan, M. D., Kushnirov, V. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Yeast+[PSI+]+prion+aggregates+are+formed+by+small+Sup35+polymers+fragmented+by+Hsp104.">Yeast [PSI+] prion aggregates are formed by small Sup35 polymers fragmented by Hsp104.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 278, 49636-49643 (2003).</li><li>Alexandrov, I. M., Vishnevskaya, A. B., Ter-Avanesyan, M. D., Kushnirov, V. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Appearance+and+Propagation+of+Polyglutamine-based+Amyloids+in+Yeast:+TYROSINE+RESIDUES+ENABLE+POLYMER+FRAGMENTATION.">Appearance and Propagation of Polyglutamine-based Amyloids in Yeast: TYROSINE RESIDUES ENABLE POLYMER FRAGMENTATION.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 283, 15185-15192 (2008).</li><li>Allen, K. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hsp70+chaperones+as+modulators+of+prion+life+cycle:+novel+effects+of+Ssa+and+Ssb+on+the+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae+prion+[PSI+].">Hsp70 chaperones as modulators of prion life cycle: novel effects of Ssa and Ssb on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prion [PSI+].</a> Genetics. 169, 1227-1242 (2005).</li><li>Aron, R., Higurashi, T., Sahi, C., Craig, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=J-protein+co-chaperone+Sis1+required+for+generation+of+[RNQ+]+seeds+necessary+for+prion+propagation..">J-protein co-chaperone Sis1 required for generation of [RNQ+] seeds necessary for prion propagation..</a> The EMBO journal. 26, 3794-3803 (2007).</li><li>Bagriantsev, S. N., Kushnirov, V. V., Liebman, S. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+amyloid+aggregates+using+agarose+gel+electrophoresis.">Analysis of amyloid aggregates using agarose gel electrophoresis.</a> Methods in Enzymology. 412, 33-48 (2006).</li><li>Borchsenius, A. S., Muller, S., Newnam, G. P., Inge-Vechtomov, S. G., Chernoff, Y. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prion+variant+maintained+only+at+high+levels+of+the+Hsp104+disaggregase.">Prion variant maintained only at high levels of the Hsp104 disaggregase.</a> Current Genetics. 49, 21-29 (2006).</li><li>Salnikova, A. B., Kryndushkin, D. S., Smirnov, V. N., Kushnirov, V. V., Ter-Avanesyan, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonsense+suppression+in+yeast+cells+overproducing+Sup35+(eRF3)+is+caused+by+its+non-heritable+amyloids.">Nonsense suppression in yeast cells overproducing Sup35 (eRF3) is caused by its non-heritable amyloids.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 280, 8808-8812 (2005).</li><li>Tank, E. M., Harris, D. A., Desai, A. A., True, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prion+protein+repeat+expansion+results+in+increased+aggregation+and+reveals+phenotypic+variability.">Prion protein repeat expansion results in increased aggregation and reveals phenotypic variability.</a> Mol. Cell. Biol. 27, 5445-5455 (2007).</li><li>Douglas, P. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chaperone-dependent+amyloid+assembly+protects+cells+from+prion+toxicity.">Chaperone-dependent amyloid assembly protects cells from prion toxicity.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 105, 7206-7211 (2008).</li><li>Nagy, B., Costello, R., Csako, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Downward+blotting+of+proteins+in+a+model+based+on+apolipoprotein(a)+phenotyping.">Downward blotting of proteins in a model based on apolipoprotein(a) phenotyping.</a> Analytical Biochemistry. 231, 40-45 (1995).</li></ol>

SDD-AGE was first reported by Kryndushkin et al.1, to study SDS-resistant complexes of the [PSI+] prion in yeast, and has since found widespread use studying both prion and non-prion aggregates 2-9. However, transfer of the proteins to a membrane following electrophoresis in an agarose gel is problematic, and can result in a distorted blot image 5. Additionally, the submerged electroblotting technique most commonly used introduces practical limitations for the size of the gel and thus the number of samples that can be processed. We have addressed these problems by employing downward capillary transfer 10, a simple procedure which uses a stack of dry blotting papers to transfer proteins from the gel to a nitrocellulose membrane. Capillary transfer prevents distortion and allows large gels to be processed easily. There are a few things to consider before using SDD-AGE. For crude samples (e.g., lysates), immunodetection of specific proteins is necessary. SDD-AGE does not fully denature the protein complexes of interest, so the protein(s) to be detected must bear an epitope tag outside of the amyloidogenic region. Lysates can generally be prepared as they would be for a normal SDS-PAGE, with two important differences. First, increased care must be taken to prevent degradation by proteolysis. The partially denaturing conditions used here are not sufficient to inactivate proteases, and can also make target proteins more susceptible to proteolysis. Use a complete protease inhibitor cocktail at at least two-fold the recommended concentration. Second, heating the samples should be avoided. If an all-monomer negative control is desired, for instance to confirm that high-molecular-weight species are not due to covalent modifications, a 10-minute incubation at 95&deg;C can be used, which will restore most amyloids to monomeric protein.

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>zymolyase 100T</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Seikagaku America</td>
<td>120493-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Halt Protease Inhibitor Cocktail</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Scientific </td>
<td>78429</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Hybond-C extra nitrocellulose</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Amersham</td>
<td>RPN303E</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>GB004 blotting paper</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Whatman</td>
<td>10427926</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>GB002 (3MM Chr) blotting paper</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Whatman</td>
<td>3030-917</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Agarose (UltraPure)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>15510-027</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

screening for amyloid aggregation by semi-denaturing detergent-agarose gel electrophoresis

Amyloid aggregation is associated with numerous protein misfolding pathologies and underlies the infectious properties of prions, which are conformationally self-templating proteins that are thought to have beneficial roles in lower organisms.  Amyloids have been notoriously difficult to study due to their insolubility and structural heterogeneity.  However, resolution of amyloid polymers based on size and detergent insolubility has been made possible by Semi-Denaturing Detergent-Agarose Gel Electrophoresis (SDD-AGE).  This technique is finding widespread use for the detection and characterization of amyloid conformational variants.  Here, we demonstrate an adaptation of this technique that facilitates its use in large-scale applications, such as screens for novel prions and other amyloidogenic proteins.  The new SDD-AGE method uses capillary transfer for greater reliability and ease of use, and allows any sized gel to be accomodated.  Thus, a large number of samples, prepared from cells or purified proteins, can be processed simultaneously for the presence of SDS-insoluble conformers of tagged proteins.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Screening for Amyloid Aggregation by Semi-Denaturing Detergent-Agarose Gel Electrophoresis at JoVE.com

Screening for Amyloid Aggregation by Semi-Denaturing Detergent-Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

SDD-AGE is a useful technique for the detection and characterization of amyloid-like polymers in cells. Here we demonstrate an adaptation that makes this technique amenable to large-scale applications.

Amyloid aggregation is associated with numerous protein misfolding pathologies and underlies the infectious properties of prions, which are ...

screening-for-amyloid-aggregation-semi-denaturing-detergent-agarose

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

26.7K Views.  Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. SDD-AGE is a useful technique for the detection and characterization of amyloid-like polymers in cells. Here we demonstrate an adaptation that makes this technique amenable to large-scale applications. 

Video: Screening for Amyloid Aggregation by Semi-Denaturing Detergent-Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis DGGE

Denaturing Urea Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (Urea PAGE)

Urea PAGE or denaturing urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis employs 6-8 M urea, which denatures secondary DNA or RNA structures and is used for their separation in a polyacrylamide gel matrix based on the molecular weight. Fragments between 2 to 500 bases, with length differences as small as a single nucleotide, can be separated using this method1. The migration of the sample is dependent on the chosen acrylamide concentration. A higher percentage of polyacrylamide resolves lower molecular weight fragments. The combination of urea and temperatures of 45-55 &deg;C during the gel run allows for the separation of unstructured DNA or RNA molecules.
In general this method is required to analyze or purify single stranded DNA or RNA fragments, such as synthesized or labeled oligonucleotides or products from enzymatic cleavage reactions.
In this video article we show how to prepare and run the denaturing urea polyacrylamide gels. Technical tips are included, in addition to the original protocol 1,2.

Denaturing Urea Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Urea PAGE

Denaturing urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is used to separate single-stranded DNA or RNA up to a limit of 500 nucleotides. Urea in combination with heat denatures samples and unstructured single strands migrate within the gel matrix according to their molecular weight.

Urea PAGE or denaturing urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis employs 6-8 M urea, which denatures secondary DNA or RNA structures and is used for their ...

Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) for Analysis of Multiprotein Complexes from Cellular Lysates

Multiprotein complexes (MPCs) play a crucial role in cell signalling, since most proteins can be found in functional or regulatory complexes with other proteins (Sali, Glaeser et al. 2003). Thus, the study of protein-protein interaction networks requires the detailed characterization of MPCs to gain an integrative understanding of protein function and regulation. For identification and analysis, MPCs must be separated under native conditions. In this video, we describe the analysis of MPCs by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). BN-PAGE is a technique that allows separation of MPCs in a native conformation with a higher resolution than offered by gel filtration or sucrose density ultracentrifugation, and is therefore useful to determine MPC size, composition, and relative abundance (Sch&auml;gger and von Jagow 1991); (Sch&auml;gger, Cramer et al. 1994). By this method, proteins are separated according to their hydrodynamic size and shape in a polyacrylamide matrix. Here, we demonstrate the analysis of MPCs of total cellular lysates, pointing out that lysate dialysis is the crucial step to make BN-PAGE applicable to these biological samples. Using a combination of first dimension BN- and second dimension SDS-PAGE, we show that MPCs separated by BN-PAGE can be further subdivided into their individual constituents by SDS-PAGE. Visualization of the MPC components upon gel separation is performed by standard immunoblotting. As an example for MPC analysis by BN-PAGE, we chose the well-characterized eukaryotic 19S, 20S, and 26S proteasomes.

Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis BN-PAGE for Analysis of Multiprotein Complexes from Cellular Lysates

In this video, we describe the characterization of multiprotein complexes (MPCs) by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). In a first dimension, dialyzed cellular lysates are separated by BN-PAGE to identify individual MPCs. In a second dimension SDS-PAGE, MPCs of interest are further subdivided to analyze their constituents by immunoblotting.

Multiprotein complexes (MPCs) play a crucial role in cell signalling, since most proteins can be found in functional or regulatory complexes with other ...

Pouring and Running a Protein Gel by reusing Commercial Cassettes

The evaluation of proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis is a common technique used by biochemistry and molecular biology researchers1-4. For laboratories that perform daily analyses of proteins, the cost of commercially available polyacrylamide gels (&tilde;$10/gel) can be considerable over time. To mitigate this cost, some researchers prepare their own polyacrylamide gels. Traditional methods of pouring these gels typically utilize specialized equipment and glass gel plates that can be expensive and preclude pouring many gels and storing them for future use. Furthermore, handling of glass plates during cleaning or gel pouring can result in accidental breakage creating a safety hazard, which may preclude their use in undergraduate laboratory classes. Our protocol demonstrates how to pour multiple protein gels simultaneously by recycling Invitrogen Nupage Novex minigel cassettes, and inexpensive materials purchased at a home improvement store. This economical and streamlined method includes a way to store the gels at 4&deg;C for a few weeks. By re-using the plastic gel cassettes from commercially available gels, labs that run frequent protein gels can save significant costs and help the environment. In addition, plastic gel cassettes are extremely resistant to breakage, which makes them ideal for undergraduate laboratory classrooms.

Our protocol demonstrates how to pour multiple protein gels at a time by recycling Invitrogen Nupage Novex minigel cassettes, and inexpensive materials purchased at a home improvement store. This economical and streamlined method includes a way to store the gels at 4&deg;C for a few weeks. By re-using the plastic gel cassettes from commercially available gels, labs that run frequent protein gels can save significant costs and help the environment.

The evaluation of proteins using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis is a common technique used by biochemistry ...

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments

Agarose gel electrophoresis is the most effective way of separating DNA fragments of varying sizes ranging from 100 bp to 25 kb1. Agarose is isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria, and consists of repeated agarobiose (L- and D-galactose) subunits2. During gelation, agarose polymers associate non-covalently and form a network of bundles whose pore sizes determine a gel&#39;s molecular sieving properties. The use of agarose gel electrophoresis revolutionized the separation of DNA. Prior to the adoption of agarose gels, DNA was primarily separated using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, which only provided an approximation of size. To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied. The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule is negatively charged, therefore when placed in an electric field, DNA fragments will migrate to the positively charged anode. Because DNA has a uniform mass/charge ratio, DNA molecules are separated by size within an agarose gel in a pattern such that the distance traveled is inversely proportional to the log of its molecular weight3. The leading model for DNA movement through an agarose gel is &#34;biased reptation&#34;, whereby the leading edge moves forward and pulls the rest of the molecule along4. The rate of migration of a DNA molecule through a gel is determined by the following: 1) size of DNA molecule; 2) agarose concentration; 3) DNA conformation5; 4) voltage applied, 5) presence of ethidium bromide, 6) type of agarose and 7) electrophoresis buffer. After separation, the DNA molecules can be visualized under uv light after staining with an appropriate dye. By following this protocol, students should be able to: 
 
1. Understand the mechanism by which DNA fragments are separated within a gel matrix 
2. Understand how conformation of the DNA molecule will determine its mobility through a gel matrix 
3. Identify an agarose solution of appropriate concentration for their needs 
4. Prepare an agarose gel for electrophoresis of DNA samples 
5. Set up the gel electrophoresis apparatus and power supply 
6. Select an appropriate voltage for the separation of DNA fragments 
7. Understand the mechanism by which ethidium bromide allows for the visualization of DNA bands 
8. Determine the sizes of separated DNA fragments 
&#160;

A basic protocol for the separation of DNA fragments using agarose gel electrophoresis is described.

Agarose gel electrophoresis is the most effective way of separating DNA fragments of varying sizes ranging from 100 bp to 25 kb1. Agarose is isolated from ...

High-throughput Screening for Chemical Modulators of Post-transcriptionally Regulated Genes

Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation have a profound impact on genes expression. However, commonly adopted cell-based screening assays focus on transcriptional regulation, being essentially aimed at the identification of promoter-targeting molecules. As a result, post-transcriptional mechanisms are largely uncovered by gene expression targeted drug development. Here we describe a cell-based assay aimed at investigating the role of the 3&#39; untranslated region (3&#8217; UTR) in the modulation of the fate of its mRNA, and at identifying compounds able to modify it. The assay is based on the use of a luciferase reporter construct containing the 3&#8217; UTR of a gene of interest stably integrated into a disease-relevant cell line. The protocol is divided into two parts, with the initial focus on the primary screening aimed at the identification of molecules affecting luciferase activity after 24 hr of treatment. The second part of the protocol describes the counter-screening necessary to discriminate compounds modulating luciferase activity specifically through the 3&#8217; UTR. In addition to the detailed protocol and representative results, we provide important considerations about the assay development and the validation of the hit(s) on the endogenous target. The described cell-based reporter gene assay will allow scientists to identify molecules modulating protein levels via post-transcriptional mechanisms dependent on a 3&#8217; UTR.

Here we describe a cell-based reporter gene assay as a valuable tool to screen chemical libraries for compounds modulating post-transcriptional control mechanisms exerted through 3&#8217; UTR.

Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation have a profound impact on genes expression. However, commonly adopted cell-based screening assays ...

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins

Mucins, the heavily-glycosylated proteins lining mucosal surfaces, have evolved as a key component of innate defense by protecting the epithelium against invading pathogens. The main role of these macromolecules is to facilitate particle trapping and clearance while promoting lubrication of the mucosa. During protein synthesis, mucins undergo intense O-glycosylation and multimerization, which dramatically increase the mass and size of these molecules. These post-translational modifications are critical for the viscoelastic properties of mucus. As a result of the complex biochemical and biophysical nature of these molecules, working with mucins provides many challenges that cannot be overcome by conventional protein analysis methods. For instance, their high-molecular-weight prevents electrophoretic migration via regular polyacrylamide gels and their sticky nature causes adhesion to experimental tubing. However, investigating the role of mucins in health (e.g., maintaining mucosal integrity) and disease (e.g., hyperconcentration, mucostasis, cancer) has recently gained interest and mucins are being investigated as a therapeutic target. A better understanding of the production and function of mucin macromolecules may lead to novel pharmaceutical approaches, e.g., inhibitors of mucin granule exocytosis and/or mucolytic agents. Therefore, consistent and reliable protocols to investigate mucin biology are critical for scientific advancement. Here, we describe conventional methods to separate mucin macromolecules by electrophoresis using an agarose gel, transfer protein into nitrocellulose membrane, and detect signal with mucin-specific antibodies as well as infrared fluorescent gel reader. These techniques are widely applicable to determine mucin quantitation, multimerization and to test the effects of pharmacological compounds on mucins.

Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoconjugates, with size ranging from 0.2 to 200 megadalton (MDa). As a result of their size, mucins do not penetrate conventional polyacrylamide gels and require larger pores for separation. We provide a detailed protocol for mucin agarose gel electrophoresis to assess relative quantification and study polymer assembly.


Mucins, the heavily-glycosylated proteins lining mucosal surfaces, have evolved as a key component of innate defense by protecting the epithelium against ...

Methods to Study Changes in Inherent Protein Aggregation with Age in Caenorhabditis elegans

In the last decades, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), has grown. These age-associated disorders are characterized by the appearance of protein aggregates with fibrillary structure in the brains of these patients. Exactly why normally soluble proteins undergo an aggregation process remains poorly understood. The discovery that protein aggregation is not limited to disease processes and instead part of the normal aging process enables the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate protein aggregation, without using ectopically expressed human disease-associated proteins. Here we describe methodologies to examine inherent protein aggregation in Caenorhabditis elegans through complementary approaches. First, we examine how to grow large numbers of age-synchronized C. elegans to obtain aged animals and we present the biochemical procedures to isolate highly-insoluble-large aggregates. In combination with a targeted genetic knockdown, it is possible to dissect the role of a gene of interest in promoting or preventing age-dependent protein aggregation by using either a comprehensive analysis with quantitative mass spectrometry or a candidate-based analysis with antibodies. These findings are then confirmed by in vivo analysis with transgenic animals expressing fluorescent-tagged aggregation-prone proteins. These methods should help clarify why certain proteins are prone to aggregate with age and ultimately how to keep these proteins fully functional.

Methods to Study Changes in Inherent Protein Aggregation with Age in Caenorhabditis elegans

The goal of the method presented here is to explore protein aggregation during normal aging in the model organism C. elegans. The protocol represents a powerful tool to study the highly insoluble large aggregates that form with age and to determine how changes in proteostasis impact protein aggregation.

In the last decades, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), has grown. These ...

Confocal Microscopy Reveals Cell Surface Receptor Aggregation Through Image Correlation Spectroscopy

Confocal microscopy provides an accessible methodology to capture sub-cellular interactions critical for the characterization and further development of pre-clinical agents labeled with fluorescent probes. With recent advancements in antibody based cytotoxic drug delivery systems, understanding the alterations induced by these agents within the realm of receptor aggregation and internalization is of critical importance. This protocol leverages the well-established methodology of fluorescent immunocytochemistry and the open source FIJI distribution of ImageJ, with its inbuilt autocorrelation and image mathematical functions, to perform spatial image correlation spectroscopy (ICS). This protocol quantitates the fluorescent intensity of labeled receptors as a function of the beam area of the confocal microscope. This provides a quantitative measure of the state of target molecule aggregation on the cell surface. This methodology is focused on the characterization of static cells with potential to expand into temporal investigations of receptor aggregation. This protocol presents an accessible methodology to provide quantification of clustering events occurring at the cell surface, utilizing well established techniques and non-specialized imaging apparatus.

Antibodies that bind to target receptors on the cell surface can confer conformation and clustering alterations. These dynamic changes have implications for characterizing drug development in target cells. This protocol utilizes confocal microscopy and image correlation spectroscopy through ImageJ/FIJI to quantify the extent of receptor clustering on the cell surface.

Confocal microscopy provides an accessible methodology to capture sub-cellular interactions critical for the characterization and further development of ...

Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complexes in Cultured Human Cells using Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis and Immunoblotting

Mitochondrial respiration is performed by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes within mitochondria. Internal and environmental factors can perturb the assembly and stability of OXPHOS complexes. This protocol describes the analysis of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) in application to cultured human cells. First, mitochondria are extracted from the cells using digitonin, then using lauryl maltoside, the intact OXPHOS complexes are isolated from the mitochondrial membranes. The OXPHOS complexes are then resolved by gradient gel electrophoresis in the presence of the negatively charged dye, Coomassie blue, which prevents protein aggregation and ensures electrophoretic mobility of protein complexes towards the cathode. Finally, the OXPHOS complexes are detected by standard immunoblotting. Thus, BN-PAGE is a convenient and inexpensive technique that can be used to evaluate the assembly of entire OXPHOS complexes, in contrast to the basic SDS-PAGE allowing the study of only individual OXPHOS complex subunits.

This protocol demonstrates the analysis of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Here the method applied to cultured human cells is described.

Mitochondrial respiration is performed by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes within mitochondria. Internal and environmental factors can perturb ...