CMSP offers a wide range of sample preparations for both metabolomic and proteomics applications. With over 20 years’ experience, the CMSP has successfully implemented standardized, routine methods to more customized and challenging protocols. We work closely with researchers and where possible train clients to implement sample preparation methods within their own laboratory.
Read important and thorough accounts of sample prep-related details:
EMBL Proteomics Core Facility Sample Preparation Guidelines
In-Gel Tryptic Digestion Protocol
- Protocol adapted from: Shevchenko, Andrej; Wilm, Matthias; Vorm, Ole; Mann, Matthias. Mass spectrometric sequencing of proteins from silver-stained polyacrylaminde gels, Analytical Chemistry, 68: 850-858 (1996).
- For Review on gel-separated proteins see: Patterson, S. D., Reudi Aebersold (1995) Mass spectrometric approaches for the identification of gel-separated proteins. Electrophoresis, 16: 1791-1814.
In-Solution Tryptic Digestion Protocol
- Protocol adapted from: Current Protocols in Protein Science, (1996-current) John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Brooklyn, Section 11.1.
- Notes: Read Promega's protocol for trypsin digestion (click on 'Protocol')
Stage Tip Protocol
Stop and Go Extraction Tip protocol for C18 peptide extraction/desalting
MCX Stage Tip protocol for "MCX-like" detergent and salt removal
ZipTip Protocol from MSP, adapted from Millipore
Protocol can be accessed at Merk Millipore.
(scroll up to see ZipTip protocol)
Coomassie (CBB-R 250) Destaining Protocol
- Cut band from the gel
- Wash several times with 10 mM dithiotreitol (DTT), 0.1 M 4-ethylmorpholine acetate (pH 8.1) in 50% acetonitrile (ACN); (3 minutes in microwave oven per wash is suggested). Repeat until the Coomassie is completely removed.
- Wash gel piece with water.
- Shrink with 100% ACN (5 min sonicate)
- Reswell with water (5 min sonicate)
- Shrink with 100% ACN (5 min sonicate)
- Reswell with water (5 min sonicate)
- Wash with ACN:H2O = 1:1 (5 min sonicate) (steps 3 - 7: salt and other contaminant removal)
- Speedvac to near dryness.
- Reconstitute sample with proteolytic digestion buffer→proteolytic digest
Reference: Karel Drbal, Pavla Angelisova, Ivan Hilgert, Jan Cerny, Petr Novak, and Vaclav Horejsi(2001) A proteolytically truncated form of free CD18, the common chain of leukocyte integrins, as a novel marker of activated myeloid cells. Blood, 98(5): 1561-6, with modifications by Petr Novak at the Laboratory of Molecular Structure Characterization, Institute of Microbiology, Prague
(scroll up to see Coomassie destaining protocol)
SYPRO (Bio-Rad) Ruby Protein Gel Stain Removal
- After staining with Ruby Gel Stain excise protein band/spot from gel
- Wash the gel slices 2 x 25 mM ammonium bicarbonate in 50% acetonitrile and 1 x 100% acetonitrile
- Dry slices using a Speed Vac
- Reconstitute sample with proteolytic digestion buffer
SYPRO destaining notes provided by Bio-Rad Laboratories Technical Services department (Aug 2001
(scroll up to see Sypro Ruby gel stain removal protocol)