In article <5choak$fnv at mserv1.dl.ac.uk>,
John Berges <J.Berges at Queens-Belfast.AC.UK> wrote:
>Hi Folks,
>>I have been perfoming some experiments applying different environmental
>stresses to marine algal cells and measuring a number of responses,
>including changes in protein profiles on silver-stained SDS-PAGE.
>>In several specific cases I have noticed a phenomenon where a number of
>lower MW (20-40 kDa) proteins in stressed cells seem to 'shift' to lower
>MW on the gel (say 6-10 kDa lower, relative to controls). At first I
>thought this was a gel artefact, but it is consistent and reproducible.
> The extracts are TCA/acetone precipitated, so I have difficulty
>believing it is an effect of some other compound produced by stressed
>cells. I have considered the idea that it is some sort of proteolysis
>producing lower MW fragments, but if so, it is highly ordered. The new
>bands maintain a similar size-relationship and density relative to each
>other.
>>Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.
>> _/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ Dr. John A. Berges
> _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ Biology and Biochemistry
> _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ Queen's University, Belfast
> _/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ BT9 7BL Northern Ireland
> _/_/_/_/ _/_/_/_/ _/_/_/ FAX: 44 (0)1232 236 505
> _/
>>I would suggest you try running a 2D gel to increase your chances of resolving
the proteins in what must be a very complex mixture. Are you sure the stress is
not inducing new proteins??
RMVF
