Home Biochemistry Western Blotting: Sample Preparation to Detection
Biochemistry JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Western Blotting: Sample Preparation to Detection

· 2010
DOI: 10.3791/2359-v
What you'll learn
  • Prepare tissue samples for protein analysis via lysis and quantification
  • Separate proteins by molecular weight using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis
  • Transfer proteins to membrane and detect specific targets with antibodies
  • Interpret representative Western blot results and band patterns
Protocol

Western blotting is an analytical technique used to detect specific proteins in a given sample of tissue homogenate or extract.

Difficulty
beginner
Total time
~4-6 hours per sample (including incubation times)

Steps

1
Prepare tissue homogenate and quantify protein

Lyse tissue samples in lysis buffer and measure total protein concentration to normalize loading amounts for subsequent gel electrophoresis.

▶ 00:58
2
Run SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis

Load denatured protein samples onto polyacrylamide gels and apply electric current to separate proteins by molecular weight through the gel matrix.

▶ 01:52
3
Transfer proteins to nitrocellulose membrane

Electrophoretically transfer separated proteins from the gel onto a membrane where they remain immobilized for antibody-based detection.

▶ 03:21
4
Block membrane and apply detection antibodies

Block non-specific binding sites on the membrane, then incubate with primary and secondary antibodies to visualize target protein bands.

▶ 04:55
5
Analyze representative Western blot results

Examine final blot images showing protein bands, interpret band intensity and position relative to molecular weight markers.

▶ 06:56
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