Siver Stain Protocol

(from Dunbar, B.S. 1987. Two-Dimesional Electrophoresis and Immunological Techniques. Plenum Press, NY. 372 pp)

Solutions

Solution A:

  • 0.8 g silver nitrate
  • Bring to 4 mL in distilled water

Solution B:

  • 21 mL 0.36% NaOH
  • 1.4 mL 14.8 M ammonium hydroxide
  • For best results, make fresh daily

Solution C:

  • add Solution A dropwise to B with constant stirring then bring to 100 mL with distilled water.
  • NOTE: SOLUTION C MUST BE USED WITHIN 5 MIN

Solution D:

  • 2.5 mL 1% citric acid
  • 0.25 mL 37% formaldehyde
  • Make to 500 mL with distilled water.
  • SOLUTION D MUST BE “VERY FRESH”

Misc Solutions:

  • #1: 50 % methanol
  • #2: 5% acetic acid

Protocol

  1. Soak gel in 50% MeOH at least 60 min
  2. Stain gel in Solution C (15 min with gentle agitation)
  3. Wash gel in water (5 min with gentle agitation)
  4. Develop gel in Solution D
  5. Stop with 5% acetic acid
  6. Wash gel with water and place in 50% MeOH overnight.