Total Protein Blot Stains

Detection of all proteins on western blots provides a visual image of the electrophoretic pattern, which helps identify specific antigens in a complex protein mixture. Western blot stains have a sensitivity comparable to gel stains.

Bio-Rad offers two staining options for total protein detection:

Coomassie Brilliant Blue R–250 dye — anionic dye used for staining gels and PVDF and nylon membranes. It is a rapid and inexpensive stain that can detect nanogram levels of protein. Since this dye can interfere with antibody binding sites, subsequent immunodetection of proteins is not recommended.

Colloidal gold total protein stain — stabilized gold solution optimized for rapid and sensitive identification of proteins bound to nitrocellulose membranes (Rohringer and Holden 1985). Protein bands stain dark red following incubation of the membrane with colloidal gold solution. The stained membrane yields a permanent record of the protein pattern for exact comparison to immunostained results. Colloidal gold total protein stain is provided ready to use.

Reference
Rohringer R and Holden DW (1985). Protein blotting: detection of proteins with colloidal gold, and of glycoproteins and lectins with biotin-conjugated and enzyme probes. Anal Biochem 144, 118–127.