GEL MOBILITY SHIFT

gel mobility shift: translation

(= gel retardation assay)

Technique for studying DNA-protein interactions. For example, to study the levels of a particular transcription factor, nuclear protein extracts are incubated with a radiolabelled DNA fragment containing the transcription factor&’s binding site. When the DNA gel is run, the amount of radiolabel that runs more slowly than the free DNA is directly proportional to the amount of transcription factor present.