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Protein Gel Stains
AAT Bioquest offers a comprehensive selection of protein gel stains and molecular weight markers for SDS-PAGE analysis and 2D gel electrophoresis, as well as prestained ladders for molecular weight estimation and Western blot transfer monitoring. Our ProLite™ and PageTell™ product lines provide researchers with high-quality, cost-effective solutions for protein visualization—from rapid colorimetric staining to sensitive fluorescent detection. Whether you need general protein staining, His-tag-specific detection, or labeled protein ladders for molecular weight estimation, our gel stains deliver reliable performance across diverse applications.
Product Type | Detection Method | Best For | Key Products |
|---|---|---|---|
Colorimetric Stains | Visible (blue) | Rapid, routine protein detection | ProLite™ FAST Blue |
Fluorescent Stains | Fluorescence imaging | Sensitive, quantitative detection | ProLite™ Orange |
His-Tag Stains | Green fluorescence | Specific His-tagged protein detection | ProLite™ His-Tag Kit |
DIGE Labels | Multicolor fluorescence | 2D-DIGE comparative proteomics | Cy2/Cy3/Cy5 DIGE NHS esters |
Protein Ladders | Prestained (visible) | MW estimation, transfer monitoring | PageTell™, ProLite™ Ladders |
Specialty Stains | Various | Glycoproteins, differential staining | Stain-All, APTS |
ProLite™ Protein Gel Stains
ProLite™ gel stains provide reliable, cost-effective solutions for visualizing proteins in polyacrylamide gels. These stains are designed for ease of use with minimal hands-on time while delivering excellent sensitivity and reproducibility. The product line includes both colorimetric and fluorescent options to suit different imaging equipment and sensitivity requirements.
- ProLite™ FAST Blue: Ready-to-use Coomassie-based stain requiring only 5–60 minutes staining time—no destaining required
- ProLite™ Orange: High-sensitivity fluorescent stain comparable to SYPRO Orange with detection limits in the low nanogram range
- ProLite™ His-Tag Kit: Selective green fluorescent detection of polyhistidine-tagged proteins directly in gel without Western blotting
Fig. 1
Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was stained with ProLite™ FAST Blue Protein Gel Stain (Catalog Number 18002) for 60, 30, 15, and 5 minutes, and then loaded on a 4-12% Bis-Tris gel. A control sample was also included in the experiment, where no dye was added. The image was captured using a Coomassie Blue filter set.
Prestained Protein Ladders
Prestained protein ladders are essential molecular weight standards that enable real-time visualization of protein separation during electrophoresis and monitoring of transfer efficiency in Western blotting. Our PageTell™ and ProLite™ ladders feature sharp, well-resolved bands with distinct color coding for easy identification of molecular weight regions.
- Three-color format: Distinct bands allow rapid identification of molecular weight ranges without consulting documentation
- Wide MW range: Coverage from 5–250 kDa accommodates most target proteins
- Ready-to-use: No dilution or heating required—load directly onto gel
- Compatible with multiple gel systems: Optimized for both Bis-Tris and Tris-Glycine gel formats
Fig. 2
PageTell™ Prestained 10 to 250 kDa Protein Ladder was run on diffrent percentages of Bis-Tris gels.
CyDIGE NHS Esters for 2D-DIGE
Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) enables quantitative comparison of multiple protein samples on a single gel by pre-labeling samples with spectrally distinct fluorescent dyes. Our CyDIGE NHS esters are minimal lysine-labeling dyes equivalent to Cy2®, Cy3®, and Cy5® NHS ester minimal dyes, designed to label approximately 3–5% of protein lysine residues while maintaining protein mobility.
- Multiplexed analysis: Run up to three samples (plus internal standard) on a single 2D gel
- Minimal labeling chemistry: Labels ~3% of lysines to preserve protein pI and molecular weight
- Spectrally distinct: Cy2 (green), Cy3 (orange), and Cy5 (red) enable clear channel separation
- High sensitivity: Detection limits in the low femtomole range
- Internal standard compatible: Cy2DIGE commonly used as pooled internal standard for normalization
Fig. 3
Cy3DIGE NHS ester, an equivalent of Cy3® NHS ester minimal dye, is one of the major colors used for labeling proteins subject to DIGE analysis. Cy3DIGE is commonly used together with C2DIGE and/or Cy5DIGE. Cy2DIGE, C3DIGE and Cy5DIGE are specially designed for precise comparison of protein expression in two or three samples of lysates.
Specialty Stains and Reagents
AAT Bioquest offers several specialty stains for specific protein and biomolecule detection applications. These include differential stains for nucleic acids and proteins and fluorescent labels for carbohydrate and glycoprotein analysis.
This document (01.0295.251203r1) was last updated on Sat Feb 28 2026. All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.