Use of sample mixtures for standard curve creation in quantitative western blots.

For accurate protein quantification when using quantitative western blot analysis with chemiluminescence reagents, standard curves are needed because of the narrow quantifiable ranges. However, they are often difficult to obtain because authentic proteins are not always available. Here we present our original and convenient method using a sample mixture as a scale to create standard curves. This method allowed us to determine the quantifiable range of target and loading control proteins, making quantitative comparisons among independent blots more reproducible. Our results indicate that using a sample mixture to create standard curves is a practical method that guarantees the accuracy and reproducibility of quantitative western blot analysis.