What is silver staining?

This protocol describes a simple silver staining method used to visualize DNA fragments and other organic molecules with unsurpassed detail following traditional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Sensitivity rivals radioisotopic methods and DNA in the picogram range can be reliably detected.

What is silver staining in polyacrylamide gels?

The silver-staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels has been used for a wide variety of physical and biological analyses. More recently, it has been applied to nucleic acid detection in polyacrylamide gels as silver ions bind to the bases and then can be selectively reduced by formaldehyde under alkaline conditions.

Does silver stain detect nucleic acids?

Heukeshoven, J. & Dernick, R. Simplified method for staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels and the mechanism of silver staining. Electrophoresis 6, 103–112 (1985). Somerville, L.L. & Wang, K. The ultrasensitive silver 'protein' stain also detects nanograms of nucleic acids.

How many PG of DNA can a silver-staining method detect?

Here we report a silver-staining method that can efficiently stain up to 14 gels at one time and with a detection limit of approximately 10 pg of DNA/mm 2, which is comparable to other methods. The silver-staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels has been used for a wide variety of physical and biological analyses.

What is silver staining in PCR SSCP?

The silver-staining of nucleic acid is widely used for detecting DNA in polymerase chain reaction–single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) 1 analysis. PCR–SSCP is a simple and easy method for genotyping, and various silver-staining methods for PCR–SSCP gels have been described , .

Does ultrasensitive silver 'protein' stain detect nanograms of nucleic acids?

Electrophoresis 6, 103–112 (1985). Somerville, L.L. & Wang, K. The ultrasensitive silver 'protein' stain also detects nanograms of nucleic acids. Biochem. Biophys.