Silver staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels

TL;DR

Silver staining is a highly sensitive, cost-effective method for detecting proteins in polyacrylamide gels, compatible with further analysis like mass spectrometry, with various protocols completed within hours to a day.

Contribution

This paper reviews multiple variants of silver staining protocols, detailing their procedures, timing, and stability for protein detection in gels.

Findings

High sensitivity detection in nanogram range

Protocols adaptable within 2 hours to 1 day

Stain stability lasts for several weeks

Abstract

Silver staining is used to detect proteins after electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gels. It combines excellent sensitivity (in the low nanogram range) with the use of very simple and cheap equipment and chemicals. It is compatible with downstream processing, such as mass spectrometry analysis after protein digestion. The sequential phases of silver staining are protein fixation, then sensitization, then silver impregnation and finally image development. Several variants of silver staining are described here, which can be completed in a time range from 2 h to 1 d after the end of the electrophoretic separation. Once completed, the stain is stable for several weeks.