One-dimensional and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: a tool for protein characterisation in aquatic samples

Authors

Vera Jones, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of LiverpoolFollow
Carolyn J. Ruddell, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Geoff Wainwright, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Huw H. Rees, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Rudolf Jaffe´, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University,Follow
George A. Wolff, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of LiverpoolFollow

Abstract

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) represents the least understood part of the nitrogen cycle. Due to recent methodological developments, proteins now represent a potentially characterisable fraction of DON at the macromolecular level. We have applied polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to characterise proteins in samples from a range of aquatic environments in the Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that each sample has a complex and characteristic protein distribution. Some proteins appeared to be common to more than one site, and these might derive from dominant higher plant vegetation. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) provided better resolution; however, strong background hindered interpretation. Our results suggest that the two techniques can be used in parallel as a tool for protein characterisation: SDS-PAGE to provide a sample-specific fingerprint and 2D-PAGE to focus on the characterisation of individual protein molecules.

Comments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Jones, V., C.J. Ruddell, G. Wainwright, H.H. Rees, R. Jaffe, G.A. Wolff. 2004. One-dimensional and two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: a tool for protein characterization in aquatic samples. Marine Chemistry 85(1-2): 63-73.