Discontinuous native protein gel electrophoresis: pros and cons

A new native protein gel system was recently developed that enables the rapid and convenient analysis of virtually all soluble proteins, in particular including basic proteins, in their native oligomeric states. This gel system combines the addition of negative charges to the proteins by the dye SERVA Blue G with a Tris-histidine discontinuous buffer system and the use of polyacrylamide gradient gels. The use of histidine for sample focusing rather than glycine as a slow dipolar ion following from the cathode buffer serves to improve migration of basic proteins. In this review, the principle of function as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the new gel system are discussed in the context of other native protein gel systems and further methods for the analysis of the oligomeric state of a protein.