Minute Lipid Raft Isolation Kit for Mammalian Cells/Tissues (20 tests)

Product Description

Lipid rafts are small membrane domains containing a high level of cholesterol and sphingolipids.  Lipid rafts are found in the plasma membrane (PM) and internal organellar membranes such as mitochondria-associated membrane (MAMs) and endoplasmic reticulum. They have been implicated in numerous cellular processes including but not limited to signal transduction, membrane trafficking, and protein sorting. Lipid-modified proteins and some transmembrane proteins are concentrated in the rafts while other proteins are excluded. Lipid rafts are also found to be associated with Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase on the plasma membrane. Lipid rafts are isolated by sucrose-gradient or OptiPrep gradient traditionally using ultracentrifugation that requires a large amount of starting material. The protocol is tedious and time-consuming. This kit was developed using our proprietary spin-column-based technologies, offering a rapid and easy way to isolate lipid rafts. Total membrane fraction (include PM and organelle membranes) is first isolated and treated with a non-ionic detergent containing buffer, followed by isolation of detergent-resistant fraction by flotation centrifugation using just a tabletop microcentrifuge. Highly enriched total lipid rafts can be obtained from cultured cells/tissues in less than 90 min without using density gradient and ultracentrifugation.

*For isolation of plasma membrane-derived lipid rafts, please refer to Minute^TM Plasma Membrane-Derived Lipid Raft Isolation Kit

Compare with Other Lipid Raft Isolation kits

Evaluation of Cross-Contamination of Isolated Lipid Rafts

Lipid rafts were isolated from mouse (TR, left) and human (right) cortex that were probed with H3 and GAPDH. No presence of either in the lipid raft fraction. Human crude nuclear extract has some GAPDH, likely from RBCs. Data: Courtesy of Dr. Max Thorwald, University of Southern California.

Detection of Lipid Raft Marker in Isolated Lipid Rafts

Lipid raft fractions obtained from isolation kit for mouse (TR, left) and human cortex (right) were probed with Flotillin-1. Lipid raft fractions are positive for Flotillin-1.  Data: Courtesy of Dr. Max Thorwald, University of Southern California.

Comparison of Lipid Raft Extractions kit with Ultracentrifugation

Samples were probed with Flotillin-1 on the left. All lipid raft samples probed for H3 and GAPDH samples on the right. The isolation kit yields enriched lipid raft fractions and no visible presence of H3 or GAPDH. Data: Courtesy of Dr. Max Thorwald, University of Southern California.

*TR=transgenic mouse cortex; Human=Human Cortex