Application Note FP-176 Multiplex Fluorescent Western Blot Detection Using the BioSpectrum Imaging System Abhishek Trikha, BVSc & A.H , M.S. and Samet Serdar Yildirim, MSc UVP LLC, Upland, CAIntroductionWestern blotting is a commonly used analyticaltechnique for the identification and quantification ofspecific proteins in a biological sample. Traditionally, atarget protein is interrogated by antigen-specificantibodies which are then probed by secondaryantibodies conjugated to either HRP or ALP andfollowed by colorimetric or chemiluminescent detection.Fluorescent western blotting employs secondaryantibodies labeled with a fluorophore to perform direct,non-enzymatic detection of protein expression. On animmunoblot which is incubated with two differentprimary antibodies from different species and thenprobed with CyDye™-tagged secondary antibodies fordetection (Figure 1), the two-color multiplexing abilitiesof the BioSpectrum® Imaging System with the BioLite™Xe MultiSpectral Light Source allow for detection ofmultiple proteins.Additional benefits of fluorescent blotting includeexcellent signal stability over time as well as accuratequantitative analysis with broader dynamic range andhigh linearity, reducing or eliminating the need to strip Figure 1. Schematic of Fluorescent Western Blottingand re-probe.Materials and Methods ImagingSample Preparation and Western Blotting The BioSpectrum Imaging System with the BioLite Xe MultiSpectral Light Source (UVP, LLC) was used forTwo-fold dilutions of normal rabbit and mouse serums fluorescent imaging (Figure 3). Images were processed(Jackson Immuno Research Laboratories) were with VisionWorks®LS Image Acquisition and Analysisseparated by SDS PAGE on 4-12% acrylamide gels software (UVP, LLC) to remove background intensity(Invitrogen). The separated proteins were then and composite the pseudocolored images.transferred to nitrocellulose membranes.1 Briefly, the processed blot was positioned on the sampleBlots were simultaneously probed with goat-∝-rabbit IgG platen. Utilizing software presets, the excitation and– Cy3® and goat-∝-mouse IgG – Cy5® (GE Healthcare emission wavelengths were selected, the lens apertureLife Sciences) secondary antibodies at 1:1250 was set at f/1.2, and the image was focused. Exposureconcentration in Western Breeze blocking buffer time was adjusted for maximal signal without saturation(Invitrogen) for one hour incubation at room and ranged from 1 to 5 seconds, depending on thetemperature. Blots were washed in secondary antibody sample and filter set (Table 1).incubations with 4 x 5 minutes in tris-buffered saline(PBS) containing 0.1% Tween 20. UVP, LLC | Upland CA | (800) 452-6788 | (909) 946-3197 | firstname.lastname@example.org| www.uvp.com Ultra-Violet Products Ltd. | Cambridge UK | +44(0)1223-420022 | email@example.com | www.uvp.com
Focal Points Application Note Page | 2 a) b) Cy3 Cy5 c) Multiplexed Cy3 and Cy5 ® Figure 2. Multiplex Fluorescent Western Blot Detection with CyDyes™ using BioSpectrum Imaging System a) Rabbit IgG probed with Cy3–tagged goat anti-rabbit IgG b) Mouse IgG probed with Cy5-tagged goat anti-mouse IgG c) Multiplex fluorescent detection of two fold serial dilution of mouse and rabbit serum proteins probed with Cy3–tagged goat anti-rabbit IgG and Cy5-tagged goat anti-mouse IgG, respectively, on same immunoblot. CyDyes were imaged using a one second exposure with the BioSpectrum Imaging System.Once acquired, the original unaltered image wasarchived and a copy was used for image analysis. The Fluorescent western blotting applications offer manyimage was adjusted to globally remove background advantages over chemiluminescent or chromogenicintensity and contrast, and was pseudocolored green visualization. Most significantly, fluorescent labelsand red using VisionWorksLS Software to indicate Cy3 permit multiplexing so that several proteins in a sampleand Cy5, respectively. can be detected and analyzed at the same time and on a single protein blot. Fluorescent labels in particular offer very low background and a high signal-to-noise ratio for quantitative imaging. Dye Excitation Emission Cy3 525BP45 605BP50 The combination of the BioSpectrum Imaging System Cy5 630BP30 730BP40 and the BioLite MultiSpectral Light Source provides not only a full range of wavelengths for excitation light but Table 1. Filters used for NIR blotting with 680 and 770 also rapid high resolution image capture through the use to 800nm fluorescent tags. of deeply cooled MegaCam 810 and OptiChemi™ 610 cameras and low light lenses.Results and Discussion Imaging TimeFigure 2 illustrates the multiplex imaging capabilities ofthe BioSpectrum Imaging System, specifically Compared to laser scanning imaging systems whereseparating out the signal of both Cy3 and Cy5 color imaging times range from 3 to 5 minutes, thechannels. BioSpectrum Imaging System provides a significant advantage with imaging times ranging from 1 to 5 seconds for fluorescent Western blotting applications.
Focal Points Application Note Page | 3Conclusion ReferencesFluorescent Western blot imaging with the BioSpectrum 1. Gallagher, S.R. and Wiley, E.A. CurrentImaging System and BioLite MultiSpectral Light Source Protocols: Essential Laboratory Techniques.is a fast and efficient process for enabling researchers Wiley, 2012to achieve simultaneous detection of multiple proteinson the same immunoblot and generate high resolution,publication-ready images. Figure 3. BioSpectrum Connected to the BioLite Together, the BioSpectrum and BioLite are a powerful combination that are able to specifically excite and illuminate at wavelengths from 365 to 765nm and read emissions from 400 to 850nm. Use of up to eight excitation and five emission wavelengths are possible in a single experiment. The BioSpectrum 810 and BioSpectrum 610 are recommended for imaging multiplex fluorescent Western blots.
Focal Points Application Note Page | 4BioSpectrum and VisionWorks are registered trademarks of UVP, LLC. BioLite and OptiChemi are trademarks of UVP, LLC.All other registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.