Immunoprecipitation is a technique for the isolation of protein or a complex (protein-protein interactions)
Sample is combined with a specific antibody for the epitope of interest.
The antibody-protein complex is removed and analysed.
- Molecules from biological sample (lysed) +incubated with antibodies (free or mounted onto support (like agarose bead, magnetic bead))
- protein A or G coupled beads added.
- Centrifuged
- Results in Beads with protein A/G bound to antibody-POI complex.
- Well separated in this way, differentially based on sedimentation coefficient.
Co-immunoprecipitation (can isolate one type of protein in its complex)
Isolate POI(s)
Good with low conc. of POI
Protein interactions
Unknown proteins
Determine if protein is actually being expressed in a given tissue.
Western blot is carried out to analyse the output.
Vary salt and detergent levels to preserve or destroy protein interactions.