Protocol C.2

CuCl2 Staining of SDS-PAGE Gels

 

This protocol is 2-3 times more sensitive than coomasie blue staining, it is much quicker, and the gels can be stored at 4° for many months without protein degredation. Reference: Lee, C., Levin, A., Branton, D., (1987). Copper Staining: a Five-Minute Protein Stain for SDS-PAGE Gels. Anal. Biochem. 166: 308-312.

Solutions

Cupric Chloride Stain

0.3 M cupric chloride 5.1 g cupric chloride

up to 100 ml with Q

 

Procedure

 

• Run a standard SDS-PAGE gel.

• Following electrophoresis, transfer directly to the Cupric Chloride Stain solution and shake for 5 minutes.

• Rinse in Q and transfer to saran wrap on a black background to visualize the bands.

• The gels can be photographed under white light and stored for many months at 4°. The bands will not difuse unless they are cut from the gel.