Enhance phospho-protein identification and recovery for Western blot

Protein phosphorylation analysis is  more and more used for cell signaling studies. This post-translational modification regulates the function of numerous proteins in both physiological and disease-related conditions. Phospho-proteins can be easily monitored by using phospho-specific antibodies in various types of immuno-assays (Western blot, antibody array, phospho-ELISA…). However, data generated is reliable only if used from cell or tissue lysates that effectively reflect the phosphorylation state of initial samples. For this, optimal cell lysis buffers preserving phosphorylation status and protein stabilty are crucial.

3 tips to preserve phospho-proteins with home-made lysis buffers

As soon as the lysis buffer is added on samples, these are immediately disrupted with high risk of proteolysis and dephosphorylation. These drawbacks can be drastically reduced by:

  1. Leaving and handling samples on ice or at 4°C.
  2. Preparing extemporaneously lysis buffer
  3. Using “fresh” buffers containing detergents supplemented with protease and phosphatase inhibitors (RIPA buffer, NP40 buffer, protease and phosphatase inhibitors, cocktails of inhibitors…).

1 alternative: ready-to-dilute non-toxic lysis buffer optimized for phospho-protein isolation

Phospho-Sure™ bar graph comparison with classical lysis buffer
Comparison of the signal obtained in WB with the Phospho-Sure™ buffer (black) vs. a traditional lysis buffer (gray)

Alternative solutions have been specially developed for the extraction of phosphorylated proteins from neuronal, soft tissues types and cell lines (1, 2). Such ready-to-dilute (RTD) buffers, like the BioSensis’ Phospho-Sure™ Buffer, extract the phosphoproteins in a native state without the use of harsh detergents or oxidizers. It also helps maintain phosphoproteins and protect them from degradation better than traditional detergent based extraction buffers.

Phospho-Sure™ RTD is designed as both an isolation and extraction buffer.

For best results, the intact tissue should be also bathed in ice-cold Phospho-Sure™ buffer during excision of the tissue. Once the desired tissue piece is isolated, it may be transferred to a small volume of ice-cold Phospho-Sure™ for disruption.

Want to preserve phospho-proteins for Western blot and Antibody array protocols?

Phospho-Sure™ RTD™ Neuronal Cell & Soft Tissue Extraction Buffer is very convenient to use. Simply add sterile ddH2O directly to the powdered solution in the supplied bottle (100- or 200-ml format), swirl briefly to dissolve the chemicals and use. The material contains no preservatives so sterile technique should always be used.

Phospho-Sure Extraction buffer for phospho-protein Western blot Biosensis tebu-bio B-100-PS
Western blots of CREB-P, SAP/JNK-P, ERK1/2-P and ERK1/2 from adult guinea pig central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICc)/ Samples were homogenized in Phospho-Sure™ RTD™ or traditional Tris-HCL triton X-100 lysis buffer and kept on ice for up to 120 min. Aliquots of the homogenates (30µg protein), were run on SDS-PAGE. Separated proteins were electrophoretically transferred to the blotting membrane, which was incubated with anti-CREB-P antibody. The blot was stripped and treated with anti-SAP/JNK-P, ERK1/2-P or ERK1/2 antibodies. Photo courtesy of Suneja et al., Journal of Neuroscience Methods 150 (2006) 238-241).

 

1- Suneja S.K. et al. “Phospho-CREB and other phospho-proteins: improved recovery from brain tissue” (2006) Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Vol. 150 n° 2, 238-41. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2005.06.010

2- Mass E. at al. “Murine Creld1 Controls Cardiac Development through Activation of Calcineurin/NFATc1 Signaling” (2014) Developmental Cell, Vol. 28 n° 6, 711–726, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2014.02.012

 

Phospho-Sure™ users comments:

 “Phospho-Sure™ Buffer helped to get strong, clear bands as published in the paper”.

“Very satisfied with the performance of the buffer to stabilize samples”.

 

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