Can Detergents Be Used Without Denaturing Proteins?
Yes, non-ionic detergents like Triton X-100 and NP-40 can be used to permeabilize cells gently. These detergents solubilize lipid membranes without disrupting protein-protein interactions or the native conformation of proteins. This makes them suitable for applications such as immunostaining, where preserving the native state of antigens is critical for accurate detection.
