Western blotting is a technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample based on antibody-protein binding. It involves separating proteins by electrophoresis, transferring them to a membrane, and using antibodies to identify a targeted protein. The process includes denaturing proteins, separating them by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis based on size, transferring to a membrane, blocking non-specific binding sites, incubating with primary and secondary antibodies, and detecting the targeted protein.

1. Western blotting
PAGE
By
Sworna kumari .c
M.Phil biotechnology

2. Western blotting
• Western blotting is a widely used technique
for the detection and analysis of proteins
based on their ability to bind to specific
antibodies.
• It was first described by Towbin, et.al in 1979.
• Western blotting is a accomplished rapidly,
using simple equipment and inexpensive
reagents, it is commonly used laboratory
technique.

3. Principle
• Western blotting is the transfer of proteins from the SDS-
PAGE gel to a solid supporting membrane.
• Electrophoresis is used to separate complex mixtures of
proteins denaturing discontinuous one dimensional gel
electrophoresis separates proteins only based on molecular
size as they move through a SDS- polyacrylamide gel(SDS
PAGE) toward the anode with the smaller protein migrating
faster and bigger proteins running slower.
• A protein sample is subjected to polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis. After this the gel is placed over a sheet of
nitrocellulose and the protein in the gel is
electrophoretically transfered to the nitrocellulose.

4. Principle
• The nitrocellulose is then soaked in blocking buffer (3%
skimmed milk solution) to "block" the non-specific
binding of proteins.
• The nitrocellulose is then incubated with the specific
antibody for the protein of interest.
• The nitrocellulose is then incubated with a second
antibody, which is specific for the first antibody.
• The second antibody will typically have a covalently
attached enzyme which, when provided with a
chromogenic substrate, will cause a color reaction

5. Step 1: Sample Prepration
• First step in the sample prepration is isolating
the protein from a sample. Usually proteins
are purified from cells.

6. • Next the protein concentration is determined.
Sample buffer commonly Leammli buffer,
which contains Sodium dodecyl Sulpate (SDS)
and beta- mercaptoethanol (BME) is added to
the protein suspension

7. • The sample buffer is the centrifuge and
heated to near- boiling, which denatures the
protein and allows the SDS to bind to the
protein. SDS carries negative charge. Glycerol
to make samples sink into wells and the Tris
base provides appropriate pH. The blue dye to
visualize samples as gel is run.

8. Step 2: SDS-PAGE
• SDS-PAGE
(sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis)-
method for separation of proteins according to their molecular
weight
• Levels of proteins
• Primary structure = linear chain of amino acids
• Secondary structure = domains of repeating structures, such as β-
pleated sheets and α-helices
• Tertiary structure = 3-dimensional shape of a folded polypeptide,
maintained by disulfide bonds, electrostatic interactions,
hydrophobic effects
• • Quaternary structure = several polypeptide chains associated
together to form a functional protein

9. • proteins denatured by heating them in a
sample buffer containing sodium dodecyl
sulphate (SDS)-the proteins no longer have
any secondary, tertiary or quaternary
structure resultant proteins take on a rod-like
shape and a uniform negative charge-to-mass
ratio proportional to their molecular weights

10. What is in the Sample Buffer?
*Tris buffer to provide appropriate pH
*SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) detergent to
dissolve proteins and give them a negative
charge
*Glycerol to make samples sink into wells
*Bromophenol Blue dye to visualize samples

12. Step 3 : Membrane Transfer (Wet
Transfer)
• After the gel is run, it is placed against a membrane , and current is
passed across the gel to the membrane, transferring the proteins
onto the membrane.
• The transferring method is also known as semi- dry method. The
membrane is usually made of PVDF or nitrocellulose, both of which
have advantages and disadvanatages that should be thoroughly
researched prior to use.

13. Step 4: Immunoblotting
• The first step in immunoblotting is to wash the
membrane and block it with non-specific
protein. The non- specific protein binds to the
surface of the membrane where protein is not
already present. This will prevent antibody
from binding to the membrane and giving a
non- specific signal.
•

14. • Next, the primary antibody is added to the
solution in which the membrane is floating.
Remember that the primary antibody
recognizes a specific amino-acid sequence of a
particular protein.

15. • After a wash is conducted to remove unbound primary
antibody, secondary antibody is added. Secondary
antibody recognizes the primary antibody, and usually
is conjugated with an enzyme, such as HRP (Horse
Radish Peroxidase)
• Lastly, another wash is performed to remove unbound
secondary antibody. Non-specific binding of both the
primary and secondary antibodies can occur, but
thorough washing usually minimizes this problem. The
amount of time the primary and secondary antibodies
are applied, directly affects the specificity and strength
of binding.

16. Step 5: Detection
• The detection method used is dependent upon the enzyme to
which the secondary antibody is conjugated. The most common
enzyme used in Western Blotting is HRP, and the substrate used for
detection is known as chemiluminescent substrate.

17. • Once the substrate has been added, the light
being emitted can be detected with film or a
photo imager.