Actin protein (pyrene rabbit skeletal muscle)

Question 1: When performing the polymerization assay using pyrene-labeled actin (Cat. #AP05), the fluorescence signal of the globular actin in G-buffer increased over time, so that the 0 value was already rather high.

Answer 1: After preparing actin at a concentration of 0.4 mg/ml for polymerization (from either fresh stocks or frozen aliquots), it is important to incubate the actin on ice for 1 hour to depolymerize any actin polymers that might have formed during storage. For an even cleaner sample of G-actin, the samples can be centrifuged (100, 000 x g) for 60 min to absolutely insure the removal of residual actin oligomers and nucleating centers. After centrifugation, use the top 80% of the supernatant as your G-actin stock. This will eliminate any changes in fluorescence signal associated with G-actin.

Question 2: During my polymerization reaction, the growth phase and steady-state levels of F-actin produced are lower than what is shown in the manual. Why?

Answer 2: One of the most common causes of reduced fluorescence intensity signal is non-optimal machine settings. Please check that the machine&rsquo, s settings are similar to these:

Measurement type: Kinetic 120 cycles, 60 sec interval time

Fluorescence wavelengths: Ex. 350 or 360 +/- 20 nm

Em. 407 or 410 +/- 10 nm or 420 +/- 20 nm

Gain: 100 (on a scale of 0-120, where 120 is the highest)

Reads per well: 1

Fluorescence reading from: Top

Also, when samples are not being measured in the fluorimeter, the excitation beam should be shuttered to prevent the beam from bleaching the pyrene fluorescence. When measuring the fluorescence, the shutter should be opened for no longer than 7 sec every 30 sec for 1 h.