Transfer of proteins from acrylamide gels to nitrocellulose paper after silver stain detection.

A method is described for the silver staining of polyacrylamide gels and transfer to nitrocellulose sheets which couples the advantages of silver stain detection sensitivity with efficient transfer to nitrocellulose sheets. Using this procedure, a detection sensitivity of 10 ng was achieved while retaining a transfer efficiency for most proteins that is equivalent or better than methodology that does not permit prior visualization of protein. When coupled with the use of an acrylamide template, this procedure permits protein detection, simultaneous transfer of a large number of cored protein products from many one- or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels to a single sheet of nitrocellulose, and retention of immunoreactivity. Prior detection, simultaneous transfer, and retention of immunoreactivity provide a substantial number of biochemical and technical advantages.