Proteome analysis of polyacrylamide gel-separated proteins visualized by reversible negative staining using imidazole-zinc salts

Bismuth (Bi) stains nucleoproteins (NPs) by interacting with available amino and primary phosphate groups. These two staining mechanisms are distinguishable by glutaraldehyde crosslinking (Fig. 1,2).Isolated mouse liver nuclei, extracted with salt and acid solutions, fixed in either formaldehyde (form.) or gl utaraldehyde (glut.) and stained with Bi, were viewed to determine the effect of the extractions on Bi stainina. Solubilized NPs were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Extraction with 0.14 M salt does not change the Bi staining characteristics (Fig. 3). 0.34 M salt reduces nucleolar (Nu) staining but has no effect on interchromatinic (IC) staining (Fig. 4). Proteins responsible for Nu and glut.- insensitive IC staining are removed when nuclei are extracted with 0.6 M salt (Fig. 5, 6). Low salt and acid extraction prevents Bi-Nu staining but has no effect on IC staining (Fig. 7). When nuclei are extracted with 0.6 M salt followed by low salt and acid, all Bi-staining components are removed (Fig. 8).

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Polymer Morphology Revealed by Staining Techniques

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100098204 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 39 ◽

pp. 340-341

Author(s):

A. C. Reimschuessel ◽

V. Kramer

Keyword(s):

Polymer Melt ◽

Nylon 6 ◽

Morphological Features ◽

Negative Staining ◽

Polymer Morphology ◽

Crystallizable Polymer ◽

Staining Techniques ◽

Long Chain

Staining techniques can be used for either the identification of different polymers or for the differentiation of specific morphological domains within a given polymer. To reveal morphological features in nylon 6, we choose a technique based upon diffusion of the staining agent into accessible regions of the polymer.When a crystallizable polymer - such as nylon 6 - is cooled from the melt, lamellae form by chainfolding of the crystallizing long chain macromolecules. The regions between adjacent lamellae represent the less ordered amorphous domains into which stain can diffuse. In this process the lamellae will be “outlined” by the dense stain, giving rise to contrast comparable to that obtained by “negative” staining techniques.If the cooling of the polymer melt proceeds relatively slowly - as in molding operations - the lamellae are usually arranged in a radial manner. This morphology is referred to as spherulitic.

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New ultrastructural findings about Borrelia burgdorferi by cryofixation, negative staining, thin sectioning and scanning techniques

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100160467 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 582-583

Author(s):

S. F. Hayes ◽

M. D. Corwin ◽

T. G. Schwan ◽

D. W. Dorward ◽

W. Burgdorfer

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Structural Characterization ◽

Negative Staining ◽

Low Speed ◽

Thin Sectioning ◽

Ultrastructural Findings

Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi strains by means of negative staining EM has become an integral part of many studies related to the biology of the Lyme disease organism. However, relying solely upon negative staining to compare new isolates with prototype B31 or other borreliae is often unsatisfactory. To obtain more satisfactory results, we have relied upon a correlative approach encompassing a variety EM techniques, i.e., scanning for topographical features and cryotomy, negative staining and thin sectioning to provide a more complete structural characterization of B. burgdorferi.For characterization, isolates of B. burgdorferi were cultured in BSK II media from which they were removed by low speed centrifugation. The sedimented borrelia were carefully resuspended in stabilizing buffer so as to preserve their features for scanning and negative staining. Alternatively, others were prepared for conventional thin sectioning and for cryotomy using modified procedures. For thin sectioning, the fixative described by Ito, et al.

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