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U.S. Department of Energy
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Suitability of two-dimensional electrophoretic protein separations for quantitative detection of mutations

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6847198

Separation of proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) provides a powerful method for mutagenesis studies, since hundreds of proteins can be monitored simultaneously. In previous mutation studies in which 2DE has been used, only qualitative protein differences were monitored; quantitative protein variations were not evaluated. Although significant differences in protein abundance can be detected by eye, the large number of protein spots present in 2DE patterns together with the large number of individual patterns required for a mutagenesis study would necessitate the use of a computerized analysis system to detect the rare quantitative protein changes indicative of gene deletions or inactivation of genes by point mutations in regulatory genes. A pilot study to search for heritable mutations induced by treatment of mice with either ethylnitrosourea or gamma radiation is underway. Samples are being monitored for quantitative changes that reduce the amount of protein by about 50%. The results of this study indicate that the key methods to improve the application of 2DE to mutation screening are to increase the number of measurable spots (i.e., improve stain sensitivity) and to decrease the spread of values for the volume measurements. Even small improvements in these areas could greatly increase the number of monitorable spots. 9 refs., 4 figs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA); Proteus Technologies, Inc., Rockville, MD (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6847198
Report Number(s):
CONF-8609239-4; ON: DE87004757
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English