Electrophoresis gels and buffers and methods of performing electrophoresis
The present invention provides electrophoresis gels and buffers for protein or nucleic acid electrophoresis comprising the compound of Formula I: wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH; if X=0, R is a pair of electrons; and if X=N, R is R′ and salts and solvates thereof.. The present invention also provides pre-cast gels and pre-mixed gel solutions comprising the compound of formula I. The present invention further provides methods of performing electrophoresis using the gels and buffers comprising a compound of formula I. The gels and buffers comprising a compound of Formula I offer extended shelf life and good protein and nucleic acid resolution.
1 . An electrophoresis gel composition comprising:
a polymer;
at least 25 mM of at least one compound of Formula I:
wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH; if X=0, R is a pair of electrons;
and if X=N, R is R′ and salts and solvates thereof; and
a surfactant;
wherein the gel is substantially free of formaldehyde.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is polyacrylamide.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is agarose.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of MOPS, MOPSO, PIPES, and POPSO.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula I is MOPS.
6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises at least 100 mM MOPS.
7 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises at least 300 mM MOPS.
8 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the MOPS is present in free acid form.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is SDS.
10 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.2%.
11 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.4%.
12 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.6%.
13 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a pH from between 6 to 8.
14 . A pre-mixed solution for forming a gel comprising:
a compound that can be polymerized to form an electrophoresis gel; and
at least 25 mM of at least one compound of Formula I:
wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH; if X=0, R is a pair of electrons; and if X=N, R is R′and solvates thereof
wherein the gel is substantially free of formaldehyde.
15 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 14 , wherein the polymer is polyacrylamide.
16 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 14 , wherein the polymer is agarose.
17 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 14 , wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of MOPS, MOPSO, PIPES, and POPSO.
18 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 14 , wherein the compound of Formula I is MOPS.
19 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 18 , wherein the composition comprises at least 100 mM MOPS.
20 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 18 , wherein the composition comprises at least 300 mM MOPS.
21 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 18 , wherein the MOPS is present in free acid form.
22 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 18 , further comprising a surfactant.
23 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 22 , wherein the surfactant is SDS.
24 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 22 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.2%.
25 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 22 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.4%.
26 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 22 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.6%.
27 . The pre-mixed solution of claim 18 , wherein the composition has a pH from between 6 to 8.
28 . A method of separating proteins or nucleic acids using electrophoresis comprising:
providing an electrophoresis gel comprising a polymer and at least 25 mM of at least one compound of Formula I:
wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH; if X=0, R is a pair of electrons;
and if X=N, R is R′ and salts and solvates thereof; and
separating proteins or nucleic acids placed on the gel using electrophoresis.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the polymer is polyacrylamide.
30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the polymer is agarose.
31 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of MOPS, MOPSO, PIPES, and POPSO.
32 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the compound of Formula I is MOPS.
33 . The composition of claim 32 , wherein the composition comprises at least 100 mM MOPS.
34 . The composition of claim 32 , wherein the composition comprises at least 300 mM MOPS.
35 . The composition of claim 32 , wherein the MOPS is present in free acid form.
36 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the gel further comprises a surfactant.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the surfactant is SDS.
38 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.2%.
39 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.4%.
40 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the SDS is present in a concentration of at least 0.6%.
41 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the gel has a pH from between 6 to 8.4.
42 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the electrophoresis is performed using a running buffer comprising at least one compound of Formula I.
43 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the electrophoresis is performed without using a stacking gel.
44 . A kit for protein or nucleic acid electrophoresis comprising an electrophoresis gel comprising at least 25 mM of at least one compound of Formula I:
wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH;
if X=0, R is a pair of electrons; and if X=N, R is R′ and salts and solvates thereof.
45 . The kit of claim 44 , wherein the gel is polyacrylamide or agarose.
46 . The kit of claim 44 , wherein the compound of Formula I is MOPS.
47 . The kit of claim 46 , wherein the MOPS is present in a concentration of at least 300 mM.
48 . The kit of claim 44 , wherein the gel further comprises a surfactant.
49 . A kit for protein or nucleic acid electrophoresis comprising a pre-mixed solution comprising a compound that can be polymerized to form an electrophoresis gel and at least 25 mM of at least one compound of Formula I:
wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with SO 3 H and optionally substituted with OH;
if X=0, R is a pair of electrons; and if X=N, R is R′ and salts and solvates thereof.
50 . The kit of claim 49 , wherein the compound that can be polymerized to form an electrophoresis gel is acrylamide or agarose.
51 . The kit of claim 49 , wherein the compound of Formula I is MOPS.
52 . The kit of claim 51 , wherein the MOPS is present in a concentration of at least 300 mM.
53 . The kit of claim 49 , wherein the gel further comprises a surfactant.