Electrophoresis 2006-05-01

Silver staining method for DNA in polyacrylamide gels using eriochrome black T as a silver-ion sensitizer.

Sun-young Hwang, Li-tai Jin, Gyurng-soo Yoo, Jung-Kap Choi

Index: Electrophoresis 27(9) , 1744-8, (2006)

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Abstract

A sensitive silver staining method using eriochrome black T as a silver-ion sensitizer for DNA detection in polyacrylamide gels was developed. The sensitivity of this staining method was significantly improved by the new silver-ion sensitizer containing a diazo group, which has reducing power. The staining method lasted a total of approximately 15 min following a fixing step for 2 x 20 min. The detection limit of this staining method was 1-4 pg for PhiX174 DNA/HaeIII in both nondenaturing and denaturing polyacrylamide gels. This staining method was especially effective in low-base pair DNA, with a sensitivity that was approximately ten-fold higher than previously published silver staining methods.