
To estimate the molecular weight of the protein you can make a comparison with marker proteins and the amount of protein can be determined as this is related to band intensity (within the limits of the detection system). In some cases the data may be more complex, showing unexpected sizes, multiple bands, or alteration in bands following a particular treatment. Their identity is confirmed by comparison to molecular weight markers (for size) and a positive control (size and signal). In the majority of cases, bands corresponding to the target protein will become visible upon treatment of the blot with substrate. The data produced with a Western blot is usually quite easy to interpret. You can perform the capturing step using a film, a CCD camera, or a scanner to collect the emitted light of the detection process.ħ- Analysis: The detected signals, using either X-ray film, scanners, or a charge-coupled device CCD camera, cause one or more visible protein bands on the membrane image. There are various detection systems, based on chemiluminescence, chemifluorescence, fluorescence, chromogenic, or radioisotopic detection.Ħ- Imaging, which is the last step in the Western blotting workflow before data analysis, is image capture. Often the secondary antibody is complexed with an enzyme, which when combined with an appropriate substrate will produce a detectable signal.ĥ- Detection Methods: In the detection step, the protein-antibody-antibody complex is detected on the membrane. The separated molecules are transferred or blotted onto a second matrix, generally a nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane.ģ- Blocking nonspecific sites: The membrane is blocked to prevent any nonspecific binding of antibodies to the surface of the membrane.Ĥ- The transferred protein is then probed with a combination of antibodies: one antibody specific to the protein of interest (primary antibody) and another antibody specific to the host species of the primary antibody (secondary antibody). Your sample could be tissue, cells, or another solution that you want to extract and analyze its protein.Ģ- Electrophoretic separation of proteins: The procedure is to separate the macromolecules in a sample using gel electrophoresis. Western Blotting Stepsġ- The first step in a western blotting is preparing samples: The samples are prepared and loaded onto a gel. Proteins that are resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels are typically transferred to adsorbent membrane supports under the influence of an electric current in a procedure that is known as Western blotting (WB) or protein blotting. The transfer of proteins or nucleic acids to microporous membranes is referred to as “blotting” and this term encompasses both “spotting” (manual sample deposition) and transfer from planar gels. What Is the Purpose of the Transfer in Western Blot protocol?.What is the difference between Elisa and Western Blot?.Typical Western Transfer and Development Protocol.How Would You Describe Western Blot Data?.

Western Blotting Results and Discussion.Example of Western Blot Quantification Graph.The Steps for Western Blot Quantification.
