| Cells were washed with PBS and then incubated on ice in modified RIPA buffer to lyse the cells. Protein integrity was ensured using a cocktail of protease inhibitors with broad specificity for the inhibition of aspartic, cysteine, and serine proteases as well as aminopeptidases (0.1 mM AEBSF HCl, 0.08 µM Aprotinin, 5 µM Bestatin, 1.5 µM E-64, 2 µM Leupeptin Hemisulfate, 1 µM Pepstatin A). Phosphatase inhibitors 1 mM NaF and 1 mM Na3VO4 were also added. Cell debris was removed by centrifugation. Protein concentration was determined by a modified Lowry assay using a commercially available kit. Protein concentration was adjusted to 2 mg/ml and then an equal volume of 2X SDS-PAGE sample buffer was added. Lysates are prepared in denaturing buffer WITHOUT dissociating agents (i.e. no 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol has been added). |
