Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
DNA Extraction from Paraffin Embedded Material for Genetic and Epigenetic Analyses
Published on: March 26, 2011
A novel procedure for protein extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues
Teresa Rodríguez-Rigueiro1, Manuel Valladares-Ayerbes, Mar Haz-Conde
1Translational Cancer Research Group, Proteo-Red-ISCIII, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica A Coruña, Coruña, Spain.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel method to extract intact proteins from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. This cost-effective technique enables broader protein analysis from archived pathology specimens, advancing translational research.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Formally-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are standard for long-term pathological specimen archiving.
- Current methods struggle to extract intact proteins from FFPE tissues, limiting their use in proteomic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, efficient, and cost-effective method for extracting full-length, non-degraded proteins from FFPE tissues.
- To enable broader utilization of archived FFPE samples for advanced protein analysis.
Main Methods:
- A novel extraction procedure involving non-toxic deparaffinisation.
- Utilized antigen-retrieval, high SDS concentration, and high temperature for protein extraction.
- Validated protein integrity and yield using Western blotting.
Main Results:
- Successfully extracted full-length, non-degraded proteins from FFPE tissues.
- The extracted proteins were suitable for detection via Western blotting.
- The method is time-efficient and cost-effective.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique significantly improves protein recovery from FFPE tissues.
- This method facilitates the use of archived FFPE samples for diverse protein analysis applications.
- Enhances translational studies in cancer and other diseases by leveraging valuable FFPE archives.
Abstract:
Most of the archived pathological specimens in hospitals are kept as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE) for long-term preservation. Up to now, these samples are only used for immunohistochemistry in a clinical routine as it is difficult to recover intact protein from these FFPE tissues. Here, we report a novel, short time-consuming and cost-effective method to extract full-length, non-degraded proteins from FFPE tissues. This procedure is combined with an effective and non-toxic deparaffinisation process and an extraction method based on antigen-retrieval, high concentration of SDS and high temperature. We have obtained enough intact protein to be detected by Western blotting analysis. This technique will allow utilising these stored FFPE tissues in several applications for protein analysis helping to advance the translational studies in cancer and other diseases.
