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Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has been instrumental in the development of proteomics. Although it is no longer the exclusive scheme used for proteomics, its unique features make it a still highly valuable tool, especially when multiple quantitative comparisons of samples must be made, and even for large samples series. However, quantitative proteomics using two-dimensional gels is critically dependent on the performances of the protein detection methods used after the electrophoretic separations. This chapter therefore examines critically the various detection methods, (radioactivity, dyes, fluorescence, and silver) as well as the data analysis issues that must be taken into account when quantitative comparative analysis of two-dimensional gels is performed.

Silver staining is used to detect proteins after electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gels. It combines excellent sensitivity (in the low nanogram range) with the use of very simple and cheap equipment and chemicals. For its use in proteomics, two important additional features must be considered, compatibility with mass spectrometry and quantitative response. Both features are discussed in this chapter, and optimized silver staining protocols are proposed.

Determination of protein concentrations prior to (sodium dodecyl sulfate) SDS electrophoresis is made difficult by the simultaneous presence of SDS and reducers in the buffers used for protein extraction. Reducers interfere with the copper-based assays, while SDS interferes with the dye-binding assays. The combined use of cyclodextrins with a commercial Bradford reagent concentrate, described in this chapter, allows to determine protein concentrations in a Laemmli-type buffer, containing both SDS and reducers, in a single step (without any precipitation) with a simple spectrophotometric assay. The use of various cyclodextrins brings compatibility not only with SDS but also with other nonionic and ionic detergents such as sodium deoxycholate or detergents of the Triton type.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis has nurtured the birth of proteomics. It is however no longer the exclusive setup used in proteomics, with the development of shotgun proteomics techniques that appear more fancy and fashionable nowadays.Nevertheless, 2D gel-based proteomics still has valuable features, and sometimes unique ones, which make it often an attractive choice when a proteomics strategy must be selected. These features are detailed in this chapter, as is the rationale for selecting or not 2D gel-based proteomics as a proteomic strategy.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis is still a very valuable tool in proteomics, due to its reproducibility and its ability to analyze complete proteins. However, due to its sensitivity to dynamic range issues, its most suitable use in the frame of biomarker discovery is not on very complex fluids such as plasma, but rather on more proximal, simpler fluids such as CSF, urine, or secretome samples. Here, we describe the complete workflow for the analysis of such dilute samples by two-dimensional electrophoresis, starting from sample concentration, then the two-dimensional electrophoresis step per se, ending with the protein detection by fluorescence.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has been instrumental in the development of proteomics. Although it is no longer the exclusive scheme used for proteomics, its unique features make it a still highly valuable tool, especially when multiple quantitative comparisons of samples must be made, and even for large samples series. However, quantitative proteomics using 2D gels is critically dependent on the performances of the protein detection methods used after the electrophoretic separations. This chapter therefore examines critically the various detection methods (radioactivity, dyes, fluorescence, and silver) as well as the data analysis issues that must be taken into account when quantitative comparative analysis of 2D gels is performed.

Silver staining is used to detect proteins after electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gels. It -combines excellent sensitivity (in the low nanogram range) with the use of very simple and cheap equipment and chemicals. For its use in proteomics, two important additional features must be considered, compatibility with mass spectrometry and quantitative response. Both features are discussed in this chapter, and optimized silver staining protocols are proposed.

Because of the outstanding ability of two-dimensional electrophoresis to separate complex mixtures of intact proteins, it would be advantageous to apply it to all types of proteins, including hydrophobic and membrane proteins. Unfortunately, poor solubility hampers the analysis of these molecules. As these problems arise mainly in the extraction and isoelectric focusing steps, the solution is to improve protein solubility under the conditions prevailing during isoelectric focusing. This chapter describes the use of chaotropes and novel detergents to enhance protein solubility during sample extraction and isoelectric focussing, and discusses the contribution of these compounds to improving proteomic analysis of membrane proteins.

Silver staining detects proteins after electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gels. Its main positive features are its excellent sensitivity (in the low nanogram range) and the use of very simple and cheap equipment and chemicals. The sequential phases of silver staining are protein fixation, then sensitization, then silver impregnation, and finally image development. Several variants of silver staining are described here, which can be completed in a time range from 2 h to 1 day after the end of the electrophoretic separation. Once completed, the stain is stable for several weeks.

Protein solubilization for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) has to break molecular interactions to separate the biological contents of the material of interest into isolated and intact polypeptides. This must be carried out in conditions compatible with the first dimension of 2DE, namely isoelectric focusing. In addition, the extraction process must enable easy removal of any nonprotein component interfering with the isoelectric focusing. The constraints brought in this process by the peculiar features of isoelectric focusing are discussed, as well as their consequences in terms of possible solutions and limits for the solubilization process.

Mitochondria are complex organelles, and their proteomics analysis requires a combination of techniques. The emphasis in this chapter is made first on mitochondria preparation from cultured mammalian cells, then on the separation of the mitochondrial proteins with two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE), showing some adjustment over the classical techniques to improve resolution of the mitochondrial proteins. This covers both the protein solubilization, the electrophoretic part per se, and the protein detection on the gels, which makes the interface with the protein identification part relying on mass spectrometry.

Because of the outstanding separating capabilities of two-dimensional electrophoresis for complete proteins, it would be advantageous to be able to apply it to all types of proteins. Unfortunately, severe solubility problems hamper the analysis of many classes of proteins, but especially membrane proteins. These problems arise mainly in the extraction and isoelectric focusing steps, and solutions are sought to improve protein solubility under the conditions prevailing during isoelectric focusing. These solutions deal mainly with chaotropes and new detergents, which are both able to enhance protein solubility. The input of these compounds in proteomics analysis of membrane proteins is discussed, as well as future directions.