Amersham QuickStain enables protein detection directly after SDS-PAGE or transfer. Supports Western blot normalization for quantitative Western blotting.
Quick SDS-PAGE analysis: Prelabel protein samples with ready-to-use Cy5 dye for quick, sensitive detection without gel staining and destaining
Easy Western blot normalization: Use standard 30 min protocol for quantitative Western blotting results; avoids the need for loading controls
Wide sample range: Effectively label complex samples or pure proteins from 1 µg/mL to 20 mg/mL, so no need to pre-measure protein concentrations
Good sensitivity: As sensitive as silver staining with wider dynamic range
Broad dynamic range: Simultaneously detect main band and impurity levels as low as 0.1% intensity of main band, using a fluorescence scanner or imager
Versatility: Load samples onto self-poured gels or a variety of commercial gels; possible because most materials have low Cy5 fluorescence
Amersham QuickStain is based on Cy5 NHS ester labeling of reactive amino groups in proteins. First, dilute protein samples 10-fold in the optimized labeling buffer. Then, add a fixed amount of Cy5. Incubate for 5 min at 95°C for qualitative analysis or 30 min at room temperature for quantitative applications.
Detect proteins directly after electrophoresis or blotting
You do not need to stain and destain your gel for SDS-PAGE analysis. And you can avoid Ponceau S staining of your blot for Western blotting analysis. For either application, simply detect proteins using a fluorescence scanner such as Amersham Typhoon scanner or a CCD imager such as Amersham Imager 600RGB.
Comparison with Coomassie and silver staining
Amersham QuickStain gives substantially better signal-to-noise and signal-to-background ratios compared with Coomassie staining. It is well suited for purity analysis during protein purification, because it has the sensitivity of silver staining but a wider dynamic range to quantitiate both weak and strong signals.
Total protein detection for Western blot normalization
