Study of grasshopper meiosis-associated proteins using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Premeiotic and meiotic whole testes from grasshoppers were compared for the presence of meiosis associated proteins using one- and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels detected differences between premeiotic and meiotic samples but two-dimensional gels gave more precise results. Isoelectric focusing revealed only one meiosis-associated protein, while nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis detected five more. It is not known whether these proteins relate to the nuclear aspects of meiosis, or associated cellular changes. These proteins have been electrophoretically purified and monoclonal antibodies are being prepared.