Detecting Glycoproteins in Gels

The traditionally minded biochemist stains glycoproteins in SDS gels with PAS. For this, the gel with the periodate-oxidized glycoproteins is successively treated with arsenite and SchifFs reagent (Fairbanks et al. 1971). Gerard (1990) describes a modification of the PAS stain. The PAS stain requires 3 g protein/band and can be characterized by two words inconvenient 

A somewhat more sensitive method is the th3unol-sulfuric acid stain (Gerard 1990). This stain also takes about one day and requires at least 1 to 2 xg glycoprotein. Furthermore, at RT the stain is only stable for a few hours (at -20° C it keeps for a few days). 

Fairbanks, G., et al. (1971). Electrophoretic Analysis of Major Polypeptides of the Human Erythrocyte Membrane, iiiochemwrry 10 2606—2617. 

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