Objective Western blotting （WB;immunoblotting） is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis （LB）,but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been establ...Objective Western blotting （WB;immunoblotting） is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis （LB）,but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been established in China.The present study was designed to determine the criteria for standardized Western blot for the predominant species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China,in which WB was produced with strain PD91 as the representative strain attributed to predominant genospecies Borrelia garinii of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.Methods Approximately 13 bands between 14 and 100 kD were differentiated for strain PD91 by using Gel-Pro analysis software.In a study with 631 serum samples （taken from 127 patients with Lyme borreliosis and 504 controls）,all observed bands were documented.To establish criteria for a positive WB result for strain PD91,receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were used.Results The following interpretation criteria were recommended：for IgG,at least one band of P83/100,P58,P39,P30,OspC,P17,P66,and OspA;for IgM,at least one band of P83/100,P58,OspA,P30,OspC,P17 or P41.In addition,syphilis,leptospirosis and other related diseases should be excluded when the positive band is P41 in IgM.For IgG criteria,the sensitivity is 73.2%,the specificity is 99.4% and Youden index is 0.726;for IgM criteria,the sensitivity is 50.6%,the specificity is 93.1% and Youden index is 0.437.Conclusion Standardization of WB assays is necessary for comparison of results from different laboratories.Moreover,the criteria of other genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato should be determined in the future to complete the criteria of WB for the diagnosis of the Lyme disease in China.展开更多
Objective To study the technique of Western blot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia afzelii in China and to establish the standard criteria by operational procedure. Methods FP1, which is the represe...Objective To study the technique of Western blot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia afzelii in China and to establish the standard criteria by operational procedure. Methods FP1, which is the representative strain of B. afzelii in China, was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, electro transfer and irnmunoblotting assays. The molecular weights of the protein bands of FP1 were analyzed by Gel-Pro analysis software. In a study using 451 serum samples （159 patients with Lyme disease and 292 controls）, all observed bands were recorded. The accuracy of the WB as a diagnostic test was established by using the ROC curve and Youden index. Results Criteria for a positive diagnosis of Lyme disease were established as at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspB, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P14 in the IgG test and at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P41 in the IgM test. For IgG criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 69.8%, 98.3%, and 0.681, respectively; for IgM criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 47%, 94.2%, and 0.412, respectively.展开更多
Objective To establish and optimize the proteomic analysis of protoscoleces-specific antigens from Echinococcus granulosus. To provide a foundation for identifying specific antigens in the soluble proteins of E. granu...Objective To establish and optimize the proteomic analysis of protoscoleces-specific antigens from Echinococcus granulosus. To provide a foundation for identifying specific antigens in the soluble proteins of E. granulosus protoscoleces for further research. Methods Brood capsules were collected aseptically from fertile E. granulosus cysts from the livers of an infected patient. The fertile E. granulosus cysts were fractured, and protoscoleces were collected by centrifugation. The soluble proteins of protoscoleces were acquired using the 2D Quant kit according to the manufacturer＇s instructions. We employed two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） combined with immunoblot assay （Western blot） to analyze the soluble components of E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens. The 2-DE and immunoblot maps obtained were analyzed with PDQuest 8.0 image analysis software. Results About 233 soluble protein spots were identified with Coomassie-stained gels. Most of the proteins had a molecular weight of 16 000 Da to 117 000 Da, and an isoelectric point value of 3.0 to 10.0. 2-DE immunoblot was conducted and 57 specific antigen spots were observed, among which 23 spots were identified. Conclusion 2-DE combined with Western blot is the key to successful proteomic analysis and presents a new possibility for searching the specific E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens.展开更多
Phosphomannose isomerase （PMI） encoding gene manA is a desirable selective marker in transgenic research. Under- standing of its expression patterns in transgenic plant and establishing highly sensitive detection me...Phosphomannose isomerase （PMI） encoding gene manA is a desirable selective marker in transgenic research. Under- standing of its expression patterns in transgenic plant and establishing highly sensitive detection method based on immunoassay have great impacts on the application of PMI. In this study, PMI-specific monoclonal antibodies were generated using recombinant protein as immunogen, and could be used in Western blot to detect as little as 0.5 ng His-tagged PMI protein or rice expressed PMI protein in sample accounted for 0.4% of single rice grain （about 0.08 mg）. PMI protein driven by CaMV-35S promoter was detected in dozens of tested tissues, including root, stem, leaf, panicle, and seed at all developmental stages during rice growing, and PMI protein accounted for about 0.036% of total protein in the leaves at seedling stage. The established method potentially can be used to monitor PMI protein in rice grains.展开更多
Recently, serum Golgi protein 73 （GP73） levels have been found to be elevated in patients with hepatocellu- lar carcinoma （HCC）, and GP73 has been proposed as a novel marker for HCC. However, GP73 levels in patien...Recently, serum Golgi protein 73 （GP73） levels have been found to be elevated in patients with hepatocellu- lar carcinoma （HCC）, and GP73 has been proposed as a novel marker for HCC. However, GP73 levels in patients remain controversial due to the specificity of the anti-GP73 antibody-based enzyme linked immunosorbent as- say （ELISA）. Therefore, an anti-GP73 antibody with high specificity was highly demanded. In the present study, by hybridoma screening, we generated an anti-GP73 monoclonal antibody （mAb） designated as 6A2 using recom- binant GP73 protein produced by prokaryotic expression. The specificity of 6A2 was evaluated by Western blot- ting, immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation. The results showed that 6A2 recognized GP73 in both native and denatured forms. In addition, we have developed a sandwich ELISA using 6A2 and GP73 polyclonal antibody generated in New Zealand white rabbits according to standard procedures, and measured the serum GP73 level of patients using this assay. Our results showed that serum GP73 levels of HCC patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls （P = 0.0036）. Furthermore, for the first time, GP73 serum level was found to be elevated in patients with breast cancer compared with healthy controls （P = 0.0172）.展开更多
AIM: To detect H pylori infection and to evaluate the anti CagA seropositivity in adult Turkish dyspeptic patients. METHODS: We evaluated anti-H pylori IgA, IgG and anti-CagA antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked ...AIM: To detect H pylori infection and to evaluate the anti CagA seropositivity in adult Turkish dyspeptic patients. METHODS: We evaluated anti-H pylori IgA, IgG and anti-CagA antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blot in dyspeptic Turkish patients. H pylori status was determined by histology and rapid urease testing. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were entered. Forty-eight (85.7%) out of the 56 patients were positive for H pylori. H pylori IgG seropositivity was 82.1%, IgA seropositivity 48.2%. CagA ELISA showed that IgG was positive in 50% and IgA in 30.4% of those with H pylori infections. Western blot showed that IgG seropositivity was 80.4% and IgA seropositivity 33.9%. Western blot detected IgG antibodies with reactivity to CagA in 50%, VacA in 62.5%, UreB in 87.5%, UreA in 80.4%, and OMP in 57.1%. None of the tests had a sensitivity and specifi city above 80%. CONCLUSION: None of these commercial tests seems clinically useful for H pylori detection in adult dyspeptic patients, while Western blot can give seropositivity and determine anti-CagA, VacA virulence factor status of Turkish dyspeptic patients in the Izmir region.展开更多
Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the Elk-1 （Ets like transcription factor-1） expression in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and normal lung tissues and the relationship between its expression...Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the Elk-1 （Ets like transcription factor-1） expression in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and normal lung tissues and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological characters. Methods： To observe Elk-1 expression, western blot and immunochemistry （IHC） on tissue microarray （TMA） containing 118 lung cancers and their corresponding normal tissues were used. Results： In western blot and IHC on TMA, Elk-1 was highly expressed in NSCLC, while its expression was almost undetectable in normal lung tissues. Elk- 1 expression in NSCLC had no relationship with the patients＇ age, gender, smoking status and histological type, but had relationship with the differentiation degree, clinical stages and lymphonode metastasis. The expression was lower in early stage group （Ⅰ＋Ⅱ） than in advanced stage group （Ⅲ）, and lower in well-moderately differentiated group than in poorly differentiated group. The same trend was seen with lymphonode metastasis. Conclusion： The progression of NSCLC may be related with the increased Elk-1 expression, and Elk-1 may be regarded as a prognostic factor for NSCLC tissues.展开更多
BACKGROUND Serologic cross-reactivity between hantaviruses often complicates the interpretation of the results.AIM To analyze the diagnostic value of indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)and western blot(WB)in the di...BACKGROUND Serologic cross-reactivity between hantaviruses often complicates the interpretation of the results.AIM To analyze the diagnostic value of indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)and western blot(WB)in the diagnosis of hantavirus infections.METHODS One hundred eighty-eight serum samples from Puumala(PUUV)and Dobrava(DOBV)orthohantavirus infected patients were analyzed.Serology was performed using commercial tests(Euroimmun,Lübeck,Germany).RESULTS Using IFA,49.5%of acute-phase samples showed a monotypic response to PUUV,while 50.5% cross-reacted with other hantaviruses.The overall cross-reactivity was higher for immunoglobulin G(IgG)(50.0%)than for immunoglobulin M(IgM)(25.5%).PUUV IgM/IgG antibodies showed low/moderate reactivity with orthohantaviruses Hantaan(12.3%/31.5%),Seoul(7.5%/17.8%),DOBV(5.4%/28.1%),and Saaremaa(4.8%/15.7%).Both DOBV IgM and IgG antibodies were broadly reactive with Hantaan(76.2%/95.2%),Saaremaa(80.9%/83.3%),and Seoul(78.6%/85.7%)and moderate with PUUV(28.5%/38.1%).Using a WB,serotyping was successful in most cross-reactive samples(89.5%).CONCLUSION The presented results indicate that WB is more specific than IFA in the diagnosis of hantavirus infections,confirming serotype in most IFA cross-reactive samples.展开更多
AIM： To elucidate the different serological reactions to H pylori using the immunoblotting technique for further understanding of its pathogenic role in gastric cancer. METHODS： A total of 54 patients were divided i...AIM： To elucidate the different serological reactions to H pylori using the immunoblotting technique for further understanding of its pathogenic role in gastric cancer. METHODS： A total of 54 patients were divided into two groups after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy： normal control group （25 patients） and gastric cancer group （29 patients）. Both groups were further divided into Hpylori （＋） and H pylori （-） subgroups based on the results of CLO test, Giemsa staining and culture. Sera were further analyzed with the immunoblotting technique （HelicoBIot 2.0, Genelabs Diagnostics, Singapore）. RESULTS： The positive rate of the immunoblotting test was as high as 88.9% in the H pylori （-） gastric cancer group and only 14.3% in the H pylori （-） normal control group with a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of H pylori infection is higher in gastric cancer patients than in the normal controls, suggesting that H pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.展开更多
BlotMan is a protein blotting device that allows generating multiple membranes from a single polyacrylamide gel. To transfer all proteins uniformly with the same efficiency regardless of protein size, BlotMan employs ...BlotMan is a protein blotting device that allows generating multiple membranes from a single polyacrylamide gel. To transfer all proteins uniformly with the same efficiency regardless of protein size, BlotMan employs pulse-width-modulated (PWM) voltage that applies a higher average voltage to a larger protein species. BlotMan can be controlled not only by its custom-made interface but also by a smart phone via Bluetooth technology. In this study, we examined effects of PWM signals (50%, 60%, and 80% duty cycle) on transfer efficiency and signal intensity in comparison to a constant voltage signal (100% duty cycle). The result revealed that in response to the same average voltage of 150 V, a lower duty cycle with a higher maximum voltage increased transfer efficiency as well as sharpness of transferred proteins. We validated BlotMan’s capability using a chondrosarcoma cell line (SW1353 cells) and a breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231 cells) in response to antitumor chemical agents. BlotMan successfully generated 5 membranes from a single gel and detected 5 protein species such as c-Src, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2), phosphorylated eIF2, lamin B, and actin. Collectively, we demonstrated herein that BlotMan reduces an amount of protein samples by generating multiple membranes from a single gel and improving signal intensity with PWM voltage signals.展开更多
基金supported by the "Tenth Five-Year Plan" project of research on the specific diagnosis method for the Lyme disease. 2001BA705B07
文摘Objective Western blotting （WB;immunoblotting） is a widely used tool for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis （LB）,but so far,no generally accepted criteria for its performance and interpretation have been established in China.The present study was designed to determine the criteria for standardized Western blot for the predominant species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in China,in which WB was produced with strain PD91 as the representative strain attributed to predominant genospecies Borrelia garinii of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.Methods Approximately 13 bands between 14 and 100 kD were differentiated for strain PD91 by using Gel-Pro analysis software.In a study with 631 serum samples （taken from 127 patients with Lyme borreliosis and 504 controls）,all observed bands were documented.To establish criteria for a positive WB result for strain PD91,receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were used.Results The following interpretation criteria were recommended：for IgG,at least one band of P83/100,P58,P39,P30,OspC,P17,P66,and OspA;for IgM,at least one band of P83/100,P58,OspA,P30,OspC,P17 or P41.In addition,syphilis,leptospirosis and other related diseases should be excluded when the positive band is P41 in IgM.For IgG criteria,the sensitivity is 73.2%,the specificity is 99.4% and Youden index is 0.726;for IgM criteria,the sensitivity is 50.6%,the specificity is 93.1% and Youden index is 0.437.Conclusion Standardization of WB assays is necessary for comparison of results from different laboratories.Moreover,the criteria of other genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato should be determined in the future to complete the criteria of WB for the diagnosis of the Lyme disease in China.
基金supported by the 12th Five-Year Major National Science and Technology Projects of China (No.2011ZX10004-001)Natural Science Foundation of China (31100105)
文摘Objective To study the technique of Western blot for the diagnosis of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia afzelii in China and to establish the standard criteria by operational procedure. Methods FP1, which is the representative strain of B. afzelii in China, was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, electro transfer and irnmunoblotting assays. The molecular weights of the protein bands of FP1 were analyzed by Gel-Pro analysis software. In a study using 451 serum samples （159 patients with Lyme disease and 292 controls）, all observed bands were recorded. The accuracy of the WB as a diagnostic test was established by using the ROC curve and Youden index. Results Criteria for a positive diagnosis of Lyme disease were established as at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspB, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P14 in the IgG test and at least one band of P83/100, P58, P39, OspA, P30, P28, OspC, P17, and P41 in the IgM test. For IgG criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 69.8%, 98.3%, and 0.681, respectively; for IgM criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were 47%, 94.2%, and 0.412, respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30260105 and 30660176)the Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NZ10192)the Doctor’s Subject Science Foundation of Ningxia Medical University (KF2010-33)
文摘Objective To establish and optimize the proteomic analysis of protoscoleces-specific antigens from Echinococcus granulosus. To provide a foundation for identifying specific antigens in the soluble proteins of E. granulosus protoscoleces for further research. Methods Brood capsules were collected aseptically from fertile E. granulosus cysts from the livers of an infected patient. The fertile E. granulosus cysts were fractured, and protoscoleces were collected by centrifugation. The soluble proteins of protoscoleces were acquired using the 2D Quant kit according to the manufacturer＇s instructions. We employed two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） combined with immunoblot assay （Western blot） to analyze the soluble components of E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens. The 2-DE and immunoblot maps obtained were analyzed with PDQuest 8.0 image analysis software. Results About 233 soluble protein spots were identified with Coomassie-stained gels. Most of the proteins had a molecular weight of 16 000 Da to 117 000 Da, and an isoelectric point value of 3.0 to 10.0. 2-DE immunoblot was conducted and 57 specific antigen spots were observed, among which 23 spots were identified. Conclusion 2-DE combined with Western blot is the key to successful proteomic analysis and presents a new possibility for searching the specific E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens.
基金supported in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, China (5121001)the Cultivate New Varieties of Genetically Modified Organisms Technology Major Projects, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2009ZX08012-006B)
文摘Phosphomannose isomerase （PMI） encoding gene manA is a desirable selective marker in transgenic research. Under- standing of its expression patterns in transgenic plant and establishing highly sensitive detection method based on immunoassay have great impacts on the application of PMI. In this study, PMI-specific monoclonal antibodies were generated using recombinant protein as immunogen, and could be used in Western blot to detect as little as 0.5 ng His-tagged PMI protein or rice expressed PMI protein in sample accounted for 0.4% of single rice grain （about 0.08 mg）. PMI protein driven by CaMV-35S promoter was detected in dozens of tested tissues, including root, stem, leaf, panicle, and seed at all developmental stages during rice growing, and PMI protein accounted for about 0.036% of total protein in the leaves at seedling stage. The established method potentially can be used to monitor PMI protein in rice grains.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Foundation of Nanjing Medical University (No. 07NMUZ005).
文摘Recently, serum Golgi protein 73 （GP73） levels have been found to be elevated in patients with hepatocellu- lar carcinoma （HCC）, and GP73 has been proposed as a novel marker for HCC. However, GP73 levels in patients remain controversial due to the specificity of the anti-GP73 antibody-based enzyme linked immunosorbent as- say （ELISA）. Therefore, an anti-GP73 antibody with high specificity was highly demanded. In the present study, by hybridoma screening, we generated an anti-GP73 monoclonal antibody （mAb） designated as 6A2 using recom- binant GP73 protein produced by prokaryotic expression. The specificity of 6A2 was evaluated by Western blot- ting, immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation. The results showed that 6A2 recognized GP73 in both native and denatured forms. In addition, we have developed a sandwich ELISA using 6A2 and GP73 polyclonal antibody generated in New Zealand white rabbits according to standard procedures, and measured the serum GP73 level of patients using this assay. Our results showed that serum GP73 levels of HCC patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls （P = 0.0036）. Furthermore, for the first time, GP73 serum level was found to be elevated in patients with breast cancer compared with healthy controls （P = 0.0172）.
基金Supported by Dokuz Eylül University Research Foundation grant 2002 02.KB.SA■.024
文摘AIM: To detect H pylori infection and to evaluate the anti CagA seropositivity in adult Turkish dyspeptic patients. METHODS: We evaluated anti-H pylori IgA, IgG and anti-CagA antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blot in dyspeptic Turkish patients. H pylori status was determined by histology and rapid urease testing. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were entered. Forty-eight (85.7%) out of the 56 patients were positive for H pylori. H pylori IgG seropositivity was 82.1%, IgA seropositivity 48.2%. CagA ELISA showed that IgG was positive in 50% and IgA in 30.4% of those with H pylori infections. Western blot showed that IgG seropositivity was 80.4% and IgA seropositivity 33.9%. Western blot detected IgG antibodies with reactivity to CagA in 50%, VacA in 62.5%, UreB in 87.5%, UreA in 80.4%, and OMP in 57.1%. None of the tests had a sensitivity and specifi city above 80%. CONCLUSION: None of these commercial tests seems clinically useful for H pylori detection in adult dyspeptic patients, while Western blot can give seropositivity and determine anti-CagA, VacA virulence factor status of Turkish dyspeptic patients in the Izmir region.
基金This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30371624) the Scientific Research Foundation of Liaoning Education Office (No. 2004D157).
文摘Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the Elk-1 （Ets like transcription factor-1） expression in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and normal lung tissues and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological characters. Methods： To observe Elk-1 expression, western blot and immunochemistry （IHC） on tissue microarray （TMA） containing 118 lung cancers and their corresponding normal tissues were used. Results： In western blot and IHC on TMA, Elk-1 was highly expressed in NSCLC, while its expression was almost undetectable in normal lung tissues. Elk- 1 expression in NSCLC had no relationship with the patients＇ age, gender, smoking status and histological type, but had relationship with the differentiation degree, clinical stages and lymphonode metastasis. The expression was lower in early stage group （Ⅰ＋Ⅱ） than in advanced stage group （Ⅲ）, and lower in well-moderately differentiated group than in poorly differentiated group. The same trend was seen with lymphonode metastasis. Conclusion： The progression of NSCLC may be related with the increased Elk-1 expression, and Elk-1 may be regarded as a prognostic factor for NSCLC tissues.
文摘BACKGROUND Serologic cross-reactivity between hantaviruses often complicates the interpretation of the results.AIM To analyze the diagnostic value of indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)and western blot(WB)in the diagnosis of hantavirus infections.METHODS One hundred eighty-eight serum samples from Puumala(PUUV)and Dobrava(DOBV)orthohantavirus infected patients were analyzed.Serology was performed using commercial tests(Euroimmun,Lübeck,Germany).RESULTS Using IFA,49.5%of acute-phase samples showed a monotypic response to PUUV,while 50.5% cross-reacted with other hantaviruses.The overall cross-reactivity was higher for immunoglobulin G(IgG)(50.0%)than for immunoglobulin M(IgM)(25.5%).PUUV IgM/IgG antibodies showed low/moderate reactivity with orthohantaviruses Hantaan(12.3%/31.5%),Seoul(7.5%/17.8%),DOBV(5.4%/28.1%),and Saaremaa(4.8%/15.7%).Both DOBV IgM and IgG antibodies were broadly reactive with Hantaan(76.2%/95.2%),Saaremaa(80.9%/83.3%),and Seoul(78.6%/85.7%)and moderate with PUUV(28.5%/38.1%).Using a WB,serotyping was successful in most cross-reactive samples(89.5%).CONCLUSION The presented results indicate that WB is more specific than IFA in the diagnosis of hantavirus infections,confirming serotype in most IFA cross-reactive samples.
文摘AIM： To elucidate the different serological reactions to H pylori using the immunoblotting technique for further understanding of its pathogenic role in gastric cancer. METHODS： A total of 54 patients were divided into two groups after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy： normal control group （25 patients） and gastric cancer group （29 patients）. Both groups were further divided into Hpylori （＋） and H pylori （-） subgroups based on the results of CLO test, Giemsa staining and culture. Sera were further analyzed with the immunoblotting technique （HelicoBIot 2.0, Genelabs Diagnostics, Singapore）. RESULTS： The positive rate of the immunoblotting test was as high as 88.9% in the H pylori （-） gastric cancer group and only 14.3% in the H pylori （-） normal control group with a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of H pylori infection is higher in gastric cancer patients than in the normal controls, suggesting that H pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.
文摘BlotMan is a protein blotting device that allows generating multiple membranes from a single polyacrylamide gel. To transfer all proteins uniformly with the same efficiency regardless of protein size, BlotMan employs pulse-width-modulated (PWM) voltage that applies a higher average voltage to a larger protein species. BlotMan can be controlled not only by its custom-made interface but also by a smart phone via Bluetooth technology. In this study, we examined effects of PWM signals (50%, 60%, and 80% duty cycle) on transfer efficiency and signal intensity in comparison to a constant voltage signal (100% duty cycle). The result revealed that in response to the same average voltage of 150 V, a lower duty cycle with a higher maximum voltage increased transfer efficiency as well as sharpness of transferred proteins. We validated BlotMan’s capability using a chondrosarcoma cell line (SW1353 cells) and a breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231 cells) in response to antitumor chemical agents. BlotMan successfully generated 5 membranes from a single gel and detected 5 protein species such as c-Src, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2), phosphorylated eIF2, lamin B, and actin. Collectively, we demonstrated herein that BlotMan reduces an amount of protein samples by generating multiple membranes from a single gel and improving signal intensity with PWM voltage signals.
