DNA Affinity Chromatography, DNA affinity chromatography can be a low-tech method using gravity flow at 4°C, a disposable chromatography column, and DNA affinity resin prepared in the laboratory (see Preparation of a DNA Affinity Column). Include 10-20% glycerol and 0.025-0.1% NP-40 in the column buffers to suppress losses due to nonspecific adsorption of protein to surfaces. Load the protein in a buffer that is compatible with binding of the protein to its target site. Keith Brocklehurst et al - [Read DNA Affinity Chromatography Using Gravity Flow - Subscription Required]
Hybridization is carried out in conventional aqueous solvents at a temperature well below the predicted melting temperature. Nonspecific hybrids are then removed by washing at high stringency in buffers containing quaternary salts. Tetramethylammonium chloride (TMACl) is used with probes that are 14-50 nucleotides in length, whereas tetraethylammonium chloride (TEACl) is used with longer oligonucleotides. - [Read Hybridization of Oligonucleotide Probes in Aqueous Solutions Protocol]
Protocol for the isolation of Arabidopsis nuclei and measurement of gene transcription rates using nuclear run-on assays. Plant materials are ground in hexylene glycol-based buffers and highly enriched nuclear fractions are obtained using Percoll density gradients. Standard and small-scale protocols are presented, along with a tested method for nuclear run-on assays. The entire process may be completed within 3 days. - [Read Isolation of Arabidopsis Nuclei and Measurement of Gene Transcription Rates Protocol]
Describes flow cytometric protocols using the dyes Indo-1 AM, Fluo-3, and Fura Red AM to measure intracellular calcium concentration. Support protocols detail the use of calcium buffers to calibrate a flow cytometric calcium assay, and methods to facilitate dye loading; an alternate protocol describes the use of a spectrofluorimeter to measure intracellular calcium for those investigators without access to a flow cytometer. - [Read Measurement of Intracellular Ions by Flow Cytometry Protocol]
Protocol for northern hybridization. Protocol describes how to carry out northern hybridization at high stringency in phosphate-SDS-buffers. Although a wide variety of formats are available, hybridization is usually performed in heat-sealable bags, roller bottles, or plastic boxes, as described here. - [Read Northern Hybridization Protocol]
Protocol for the preparation of electrolyte gradient gels. Electrolyte gradients are formed when buffers of different concentrations are used in the upper (low electrolyte concentration) and lower (high electrolyte concentration) chambers of the electrophoresis device. - [Read Preparation of Electrolyte Gradient Gels Protocol]
A Single Stranded Plasmid DNA Isolation Protocol describing the production and isolation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) using bacteriophagemid-containing bacteria and helper phage. Infection of the host cells with helper phage allows for packaging of ssDNA into bacteriophage. The ssDNA can then be isolated from phage particles.
DNA microarrays are an ordered arrangement of DNA molecules complementary to genes of interest that are "spotted" by robotic equipment onto a glass slide substrate. The expression of genes in cells can be monitored with microarrays by preparing cDNA from the mRNA of cells of interest and measuring the hybridization to the microarray. This protocol describes the labeling of genomic DNA for use as a probe for hybridization to the cDNA spotted on the array.
Tubulin is polymerized into microtubules by incubating tubulin at 37°C with GTP. A nucleation seed is added when the purpose is to assay microtubule elongation. Tubulin can also be polymerized for the purposes of recycling the tubulin or labeling the microtubules with fluorescently labeled tubulin. Based on the protocol by Timothy Mitchison of Harvard University.
This Microarray Protocol Preparation of Fluorescent DNA Probes from Human mRNA protocol describes the production of probes labeled with the fluorescent dyes, Cy3 and Cy5, following the synthesis of cDNA from human mRNA and the hybridization of the probes to DNA microarrays.
A single step RNA isolation protocol using Phenol Chloroform Extraction and Acid Guanidinium Thiocyanate. This RNA isolation method uses the fact that guanidinium thiocyanate can simultaneously lyse the cells and inactive cellular RNAses during the initial RNA isolation step allow a single step in the method.
In Vitro Translated Xenopus Mos Kinase Assay Protocol. In response to progesterone, immature Xenopus oocytes mature to eggs that can be fertilized. The Mos protein kinase is essential for oocyte maturation, most likely due to its ability to activate the MAP kinase cascade. This MAP kinase cascade eventually leads to the activation of Cdc2/cyclin B and entry into M phase. In this protocol, tagged Mos kinase is translated in vitro, immunopurified, and used in a kinase assay.
A protocol for the selection of Phage Antibodies using Immobilized Antigen. This method describes the selection of antibodies from bacteriophage antibody libraries that recognize a specific antigen. The phage display library of antibody-displaying phage particles is exposed to antigen attached to a solid substrate (Nunc Immuno™ tubes). The phage particles with affinity for antigen bind to the immobilized antigen and are selected from the library of phage expressing antibodies.
Unlike spherical phage, such as T4 and λ, which have roughly equal weight ratios of protein to DNA, filamentous phage have about six times more protein than DNA; the protein therefore contributes substantially to the absorption spectrum.