Comparison of different staining methods for polyvinylidene difluoride membranes.

Several new staining methods for polyvinylidene difluoride membranes, including mercurochrome, silver and dimethylaminoazobenzene isothiocyanate staining were compared with Coomassie Brilliant Blue and gold staining. Of these, Coomassie was most versatile and completely compatible with ensuing microsequencing, immunostaining or other visualization methods, while gold and silver staining were more sensitive. Mercurochrome allows selective detection of sulfhydryl-containing proteins while dimethylaminoazobenzene isothiocyanate staining may allow quantitation of sequenceable protein.