Multiple-layer substrate zymography for detection of several enzymes in a single sodium dodecyl sulfate gel

We have developed a system to detect three hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase, lipase, and protease) using a single sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel and an electrotransfer system. After electrophoresis, proteins in the gel were transferred to three sandwiched substrate gels containing glycerol tributyrate, azo-carboxymethyl cellulose (Azo-CMC), and fibrin for detection of cellulase, lipase, and protease, respectively. We show that three cellulases (from a Paenibacillus sp. and two Bacillus sp. strains), one lipase (from a Staphylococcus sp.), and two proteases (from two Bacillus sp. strains) can be detected simultaneously with our zymogram system.