FAST AND SENSITIVE DETECTION OF PROTEIN AND DNA BANDS BY TREATMENT WITH POTASSIUM-PERMANGANATE

A Ag stain technique using treatment with potassium permanganate for visualization of proteins and DNA separated by gel electrophoresis was developed and applied both to the very thin (thickness 0.1-0.2 mm) and to the usual 1-2 mm thick gels. The technique is reproducible, only stable chemicals are used and it is shortened to about 1 h even for the 1 mm gel (30 min for 0.2 mm gel). It is applicable to gels thicker than 2 mm with somewhat longer washes. Amounts as low as 2 .times. 10-10 g of protein per band were detected. Protein bands of different colors are obtained. The technique was used with success in continuous, discontinuous and 2D-gel systems. Bands were detected which were not observed when the other Ag staining techniques were used.