Isoelectric focusing of human parotid salivary proteins in hybrid carrier ampholyte-immobilized pH gradient polyacrylamide gels

Abstract

Isoelectric focusing of human salivary proteins with carrier ampholyte-isoelectric focusing systems requires prior desalting and concentration of samples, a procedure which is time-consuming and requires relatively large volumes of samples. By contrast, immobilized pH gradient gels are more tolerant to salt loads. Thus pretreatment of samples consists only of centrifugation prior to isoelectric focusing. If larger loads (greater than 50 micrograms) are required, the samples may be concentrated by lyophilization and reconstitution in a smaller volume of water or by dialysis against 30% w/v polyethylene glycol. Immobilized pH gradient polyacrylamide gels (incorporating a hybrid carrier ampholyte system) of two pH ranges (pH 4-9 and pH 3.5-5.0) have been used to separate the proteins in human parotid saliva. The effects of urea on focused patterns were studied; in pH 4-9 gels it gave improved resolution of protein bands, whereas in pH 3.5-5.0 gels it prevented protein precipitation. The salivary proteins were then visualized by staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 or a silver procedure. Using the latter, 25-30 well-resolved bands were formed on a pH 4-9 gel loaded with 20 micrograms of proteins. The method offers considerable advantages compared with carrier ampholyte-isoelectric focusing.