Final answer:
Alternative reference proteins for Western blot analysis in liver lysates include GAPDH and tubulin, but their selection depends on consistent expression levels in the given experimental conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Western blot (WB) analysis for quantitation of liver lysates, β-actin is a commonly used reference protein; however, alternatives such as GAPDH or tubulin can also be considered. It's essential to select a reference protein that exhibits consistent expression levels across the different samples and experimental conditions. GAPDH is another housekeeping gene product commonly used but its expression can vary under certain experimental conditions, impacting its suitability as a control. Similarly, tubulin, which is a structural protein forming part of the cytoskeleton, can serve as a loading control but like GAPDH, its expression may not be stable under all experimental circumstances.
It is crucial to evaluate the stability of the housekeeping protein's expression in the context of the specific experimental design to ensure accurate quantification. Ultimately, factors such as the experimental conditions, the spectrum of samples being studied, and the abundance and stability of the potential reference proteins will guide the choice of the most appropriate loading control for Western blot analysis.