Modified native electrophoresis protocol for the solubilization and separation of mitochondrial protein complexes

To isolate mitochondrial complexes, we have combined elements from the classic Laemmli protocol and blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) methods to develop a straightforward modified native electrophoresis protocol. This modified protocol presented good resolution for native electrophoresis of inner mitochondrial membrane proteins, where bands were easily visualized with no leftover stain or gel lanes overlap. Enzymatic tests revealed that complexes I and V remain active in the gel. This protocol, designed to overcome specific limitations of the standard protocols, provides a potential methodology to study membrane proteins in their functional form.