Gel electrophoresis of proteins

Gel electrophoresis of proteins is a method used in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology to separate proteins according to their electrophoretic mobility (a function of the length of a protein and its conformational rigidity) in a polyacrylamide gel.

Overview

Gel electrophoresis of proteins is a technique that allows for the separation of proteins and the analysis of individual proteins within a mixture. This technique is based on the principle that proteins will migrate through a gel matrix when an electric field is applied. The rate of migration is dependent on the size, shape, and charge of the protein.

Method

The method of gel electrophoresis of proteins involves several steps. First, the proteins are denatured, usually by heating in the presence of a detergent such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The denatured proteins are then loaded onto a polyacrylamide gel. An electric field is applied, causing the proteins to migrate through the gel. Smaller proteins move faster and therefore further than larger ones.

Applications

Gel electrophoresis of proteins has many applications in biological research. It is used to study protein size, charge, purity, and enzyme activity. It is also used in diagnostic procedures to detect and identify proteins associated with specific diseases.

See also

• Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
• Sodium dodecyl sulfate
• Protein structure
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology

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  Coomassie-stained gel showing protein bands

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  Diagram of the Laemmli system for SDS-PAGE

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  Illustration of an electrophoresis setup

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  Gel electrophoresis of serum proteins in multiple myeloma