RADIOIMMUNOLOGICAL SCREENING METHOD FOR SPECIFIC MEMBRANE-PROTEINS

A simple and sensitive radioimmunoassay is described which can detect insoluble membrane proteins in single colonies of Escherichia coli K-12. The method involves transfer of colonies onto filter paper, extraction with organic solvents, exposure to radioiodinated specific immunoglobulin, and autoradiography. Some 30,000 colonies can easily be screened within a week. The method should be applicable for shot-gun-type cloning experiments aiming at genes for insoluble membrane proteins and when selection for a corresponding wild-type allelc is not possible. © 1979.