Protocol for nucleo-cytoplasmic fractionation of mammalian cells to study protein translocation via immunoblotting

Studying protein translocation is essential for understanding protein function and regulatory mechanisms, including the activity of transcription factors. Here, we present a protocol for isolating high-quality cytoplasmic and nuclear protein fractions from mammalian cells. We describe steps for separating cytoplasmic proteins, washing nuclei, and extracting nuclear proteins. We then detail procedures for quantifying proteins and analyzing their distribution by immunoblotting within a single immunoblot. This protocol is applicable to both suspension and adherent cell types. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sharma et al.<sup>1</sup><sup>,</sup><sup>2</sup><sup>,</sup><sup>3</sup>.

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Journal
STAR Protocols
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.104265
Primary Topic
RNA Research and Splicing
Type
article
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article

Protocol for nucleo-cytoplasmic fractionation of mammalian cells to study protein translocation via immunoblotting

Erpeng Zhu, Adhikarimayum Lakhikumar Sharma, Mudit Tyagi, Khyati Parikh et al.
STAR Protocols
RNA Research and Splicing
article

Protocol for nucleo-cytoplasmic fractionation of mammalian cells to study protein translocation via immunoblotting

Erpeng Zhu, Adhikarimayum Lakhikumar Sharma, Mudit Tyagi, Khyati Parikh, Rithika Padyala
article en

Abstract

Studying protein translocation is essential for understanding protein function and regulatory mechanisms, including the activity of transcription factors. Here, we present a protocol for isolating high-quality cytoplasmic and nuclear protein fractions from mammalian cells. We describe steps for separating cytoplasmic proteins, washing nuclei, and extracting nuclear proteins. We then detail procedures for quantifying proteins and analyzing their distribution by immunoblotting within a single immunoblot. This protocol is applicable to both suspension and adherent cell types. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sharma et al.<sup>1</sup><sup>,</sup><sup>2</sup><sup>,</sup><sup>3</sup>.

STAR ProtocolsVol. 6(4)
Thomas Jefferson University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 64%
RNA Research and Splicing
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Protocol for nucleo-cytoplasmic fractionation of mammalian cells to study protein translocation via immunoblotting — Erpeng Zhu, Adhikarimayum Lakhikumar Sharma, et al. · STAR Protocols (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS