>> Maybe one should do a gradient of >> gluteraldehyde concentrations, then plot the deviation of the observed >> cross-linked oligomerization from a theoretical null hypothesis? > > Right - just do it side-by-side with a protein known to be monomeric of > roughly the same size/lysine content... And what is the "critical > concentration" of gutaraldehyde at which the false positives appear in > your experience?
The critical concentration depends on protein concentration, time of reaction, brand of gluteraldehyde, day of week, color of my shirt.... No, I don't know--I have seen cross-linking gradients in Nature and such in which several oligomeric states can be seen up to the one the author asserts is the physiological one. This is a nice experiment for proving one's point on paper, but maybe not for establishing the truth? Maybe a control with some SDS would be appropriate (although this would probably perturb the lysines). Or maybe the experiment should be done in a lysate, and then western-blotted? Jacob -- ******************************************* Jacob Pearson Keller Northwestern University Medical Scientist Training Program cel: 773.608.9185 email: j-kell...@northwestern.edu *******************************************
