Periodic acid/Schiff staining of glycoproteins immobilized on a blotting matrix.

A simple and sensitive method for the detection of glycoproteins and glycopeptides in solution and in polyacrylamide gels is described. This method combines the well-known periodic acid/Schiff stain with protein blotting. Compared with direct staining of a polyacrylamide gel, the sensitivity is considerably increased. Using a set of glycoproteins, we have found the sensitivity to be about 4 ng carbohydrate.