Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) Service
- Transcription factor binding validation for promoter and enhancer elements
- Mapping sequence determinants of binding specificity and motif preference
- Functional testing of regulatory variants and engineered motif edits
- Mechanistic studies of signaling-dependent DNA binding regulation
- RNA protein binding validation for RNA binding proteins and motif characterization
- Early-stage screening of inhibitors or modulators that alter complex formation
MtoZ Biolabs provides an Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) Service to evaluate DNA-protein or RNA-protein binding with high-specificity using native gel mobility shifts and robust control strategies. Our EMSA solutions support transcription factor binding validation, sequence specificity testing, affinity comparisons, and mechanism studies using standard EMSA, antibody supershift confirmation, and multiplexed competition formats.
What Is Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA)?
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA), also known as a gel shift assay, is a native electrophoresis based method for detecting direct DNA protein or RNA protein interactions. In EMSA, a labeled nucleic acid probe is incubated with a purified protein or biological extract, and the resulting complexes are resolved on a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. Because nucleic acid protein complexes migrate more slowly than the free probe, binding is visualized as a mobility shift, while specificity and complex identity can be further supported using well designed competition controls or antibody based supershift strategies.
EMSA remains important in functional genomics and molecular biology because it delivers clear, control driven evidence of sequence specific binding under defined conditions. It is widely used to validate predicted transcription factor motifs, compare wild type and mutant binding elements, assess binding preferences across variants or competitors, and evaluate how cofactors, signaling states, or small molecules influence complex formation. As a fast and interpretable assay, EMSA complements sequencing and cell based approaches by translating regulatory hypotheses into direct biochemical binding readouts.
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) Service at MtoZ Biolabs
1. Validation EMSA
This service evaluates whether a protein forms a specific complex with a defined DNA or RNA probe, supported by appropriate negative controls to distinguish specific binding from background.
2. Antibody-Confirmed Binding Using Supershift Formats
This option adds target-specific antibodies to the binding reaction to confirm complex identity by generating a supershifted band or disrupting the complex in a controlled manner.
3. Competition-Focused EMSA
This option tests binding specificity and relative preference using defined competitor panels, enabling rapid comparison across motif variants, alleles, or related binding elements within one experimental framework.
Send your protein sample and target sequence information to MtoZ Biolabs and tell us your research objective. We will design the probe and control strategy, run the binding assays, and deliver interpretation-ready gel images and quantitative results aligned to your study goals.
Workflow of Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) Service
1. Protein Expression and Preparation
Generate recombinant protein when needed or process submitted samples to obtain binding-competent protein.
2. Probe Design and Synthesis
Prepare labeled probes and matched unlabeled competitors based on the target sequence and control strategy.
3. Binding Reaction
Incubate probes with proteins or samples under optimized conditions to form specific nucleic acid–protein complexes.
4. Native Electrophoresis and Transfer
Separate free probes and complexes on non-denaturing gels, followed by membrane transfer for signal capture.
5. Detection and Reporting
Visualize shifted bands, quantify binding where applicable, and deliver interpretation-ready results.
Why Choose MtoZ Biolabs
✔️Strong Expertise and Hands-on Experience
Assays are executed by teams familiar with nucleic acid binding systems, transcription factor biology, and control-driven experimental design.
✔️Customizable Service
Probe design, competitor strategy, buffer conditions, and analysis outputs are tailored to your specific hypothesis and decision points.
✔️Advanced Experimental and Analytical Capabilities
Optimized assay setup, sensitive detection options, and structured data analysis are integrated to support consistent performance.
✔️Responsive Customer Support
Clear communication, timely updates, and practical guidance are provided from project intake through final delivery.
✔️Fast Turnaround
Efficient scheduling and streamlined execution help you obtain results quickly without compromising assay rigor.
Applications of Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) Service
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay is frequently used in:
FAQ
Q1: What types of samples are suitable?
1. Cells or Tissues as Protein Sources
Fresh or frozen cell pellets, cultured cells, or tissue material can be submitted for protein preparation and EMSA testing.
2. Purified Proteins
Recombinant purified proteins, protein complexes, or tagged proteins are accepted for direct binding and affinity comparison studies.
3. Plasmids or Sequence Information for Protein Production
If you do not have purified protein, you can provide a plasmid, gene sequence, or construct design, and we can generate recombinant protein using our expression and purification workflows before EMSA.
4. Binding Target Sequences
DNA or RNA sequences for probe design, including wild-type and mutant motifs, allele variants, or short regulatory elements derived from promoters and enhancers.
Q2: How should I prepare my samples?
1. Collection and Handling: Collect samples as fresh as possible and keep handling cold on ice or at 4°C to preserve binding activity.
2. Storage: Store samples at -80°C when applicable and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Shipping: Ship on dry ice or with appropriate cold packs to maintain low temperature during transit.
4. Packaging and Labeling: Use secure, leak-proof packaging and clearly label tubes with sample ID, group, and replicate information.
5. Project Context: Research objective, target protein identity, species, and any preferred controls or competitor sequences.
For more information, please refer to Sample Submission Guidelines for Proteomics and Sample Submission Guidelines for Metabolomics.
Q3: What is the service general workflow?
Q4: What data formats are provided?
1. Labeled and unlabeled DNA or RNA probes used in the assay, with sequence records
2. Remaining protein samples or lysates when available
3. High-resolution gel images in TIFF and PNG
4. Condition and lane annotation files in XLSX or CSV
5. Band intensity and bound fraction tables in XLSX or CSV when quantification is included
6. A PDF report summarizing assay design, key controls, experimental conditions, and interpretation, with supporting raw and processed data suitable for publication
Additional formats can be provided upon request to meet specific analysis or publication requirements.
Start Your Project with MtoZ Biolabs
If you are validating a binding site, comparing motif variants, or confirming complex identity with antibody-based formats, MtoZ Biolabs can configure an EMSA study that is specific, control-driven, and aligned to your research objective. Share your target, sequence, and experimental question, and we will recommend a practical assay design and deliver results you can use immediately.
Free project evaluation is available. Contact us for more details!
How to order?
