Isolation of outer membrane proteins (OMP) from Salmonella cells using zwitterionic detergent and their separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE).

We report that using the zwitterionic detergent Zwittergent Z 3-14 to isolate outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from Salmonella 048 is suitable for their separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in a capillary tube system. Sample preparation is a very crucial step for any bacterial proteomic study. Some modifications were introduced to the 2-DE protocol suggested by O'Farrell and BioRad, which significantly impaired the resolution of proteins. 2-DE analysis of OMPs may be helpful in the interpretation of the variable susceptibility of Salmonella 048 rods to the bactericidal activity of serum.