Fast fluorescent staining of protein in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels by palmatine

A fast and sensitive protein fluorescent detection method in SDS-PAGE using the natural product palmatine is described. Palmatine is an alkaloid found in various plants exhibiting a broad spectrum of antibiotic activity in humans. The sensitivity of palmatine staining is similar to those of the SYPRO Red, SYPRO Tangerine, and SYPRO Orange protein gel stains - about 4 ng per protein band. This detection sensitivity is comparable to colloidal CBB staining. Since proteins stained with palmatine do not need destaining, the staining procedure can be easily shortened and completed in about 30 min. Stained proteins can be photographed using a UV transilluminator. The results of the present study suggest that the palmatine staining is sensitive, rapid, low cost, and safe for a broad application to the research of protein.