Zinc Stain-Destain Kit

Product Identifier

Introduction

Zinc Stain-Destain Kit contains a zinc-based reversible, highly sensitive protein gel stain that rapidly develops protein bands on polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis. This staining procedure is compatible with both native and SDS-denatured gels and no destaining is required for the visualization of protein bands. Moreover, this staining procedure is unique as the protein bands can be completely destained after using the destaining solution and the gel can be subsequently blotted. The Zinc Stain-Destain Kit contains both the staining and destaining solutions.

Description

The Zinc Stain-Destain Kit is widely used for protein staining purpose. Zinc Stain is a unique staining solution as it functions in a reversible way as the protein bands on the polyacrylamide gels disappear completely after treatment with the Destaining solution. This staining solution acts in a single step and is based upon the interaction of zinc ions with the protein bands and polyacrylamide gels. The Zinc Staining solution turns the gel opaque white by depositing zinc metal precipitate in it while the SDS coating on the proteins prevents the stain from binding to the proteins and as a result a negative image of the gel is produced where clear protein bands are visualized against the opaque white polyacrylamide background. The simple two-step staining procedure is very rapid and sensitive compared to the standard coomassie staining procedure. Gels stained with the Zinc Stain can be transferred for immunoblotting procedures after destaining in 5 minutes with Zinc Destain. The solutions are supplied as 10X concentrate and should be diluted to 1X before use.

Kit Contents

Important Instruction

Dilute all the 10X solutions to 1X by mixing one part of it with nine parts of Molecular Biology Grade Water (ML064) before the experiment.

Procedure

Zinc Staining

1. After the completion of SDS-PAGE transfer the gel to a container with 50 ml of 1X diluted Staining Solution I.
2. Incubate at room temperature for 10 minutes with gentle rocking.
3. Transfer the gel to another container with 50 ml of diluted Staining Solution II. Make sure the gels are completely immersed in the solution.
4. Dark color protein bands will appear in milky white background within few seconds.
5. Discard Staining solution II and put the gel in distilled water.
6. To visualize the bands the gel should be placed on dark background. The protein bands will be visible as dark bands against an opaque white background.
7. The gel can be visualized under UV light as Zinc-Imidazole complex fluoresces under UV light.

Zinc DeStaining

1. After the completion of the staining immerse the stained gel in Destaining Solution (after diluting to 1X). Make sure that the gel is completely submerged in the buffer.
2. Incubate at room temperature for 5 minutes with gentle rocking.
3. Discard the solution and add fresh Destaining Solution and gently agitate for 10 minutes. All the protein bands get completely destained during this time period.
4. The gel is now ready for coomassie staining, western blotting and other analyses.
5. The protein of interest can be cut from the gel after de-staining and send for MALDI-TOF for protein identification without any interference otherwise observed with other terminal protein stains like commassie and silver stain.

Storage Conditions

Zinc Stain-Destain Kit has to be stored at room temperature (15-25 °C). Under recommended conditions, the product is stable for 12 months.

Safety Information

The Zinc Stain-Destain Kit is for laboratory use only, not for drug, household or other uses. Please refer the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for information regarding hazards and safe handling practices. Follow good clinical laboratory practices while handling clinical samples. Standard precautions should be followed as per established guidelines. Safety guidelines may be referred in safety data sheets of the product.

Performance and Evaluation

Performance of the kit is expected when the kit is stored at recommended temperature and within the expiry period.

Product Use Limitation & Warranty

HiMedia guarantees the performance of product in the manner described in the product literature. Zinc Stain-Destain Kit is designed and sold for research and in vitro purposes only. The product is not to be used for human diagnostic or drug purposes or to be administered to humans unless expressed clearly for that purpose by the Food and Drug Administration or the appropriate regulatory authorities in the country of use. All due care and attention should be exercised in the handling of many of the materials described in the text.

Technical Assistance

At HiMedia we pride ourselves on the quality and availability of our technical support. For any kind of technical assistance, mail at mb@himedialabs.com.