Analysis of protein changes using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis.

A protocol for protein analysis using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) is described. 2D-DIGE is one of the most popular and versatile methods of protein separation among rapidly increasing proteomics technologies. Similar to traditional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), the proteins are separated based on their charges and molecular weight by 2D-DIGE. Different from 2D-PAGE, proteins are pre-labeled with different fluorescent and different protein samples are run in one gel by this method. Therefore, 2D-DIGE not only carries the advantages of 2D-PAGE but also eliminates gel-to-gel variation and achieves high resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility.