The PR5013-TC is the Accuris SmartCheck Tri-Color Protein Marker — a pre-stained protein molecular-weight ladder with 13 reference bands spanning the 5 – 245 kDa range, in a ready-to-use formulation for direct loading on SDS-PAGE gels. Three different stain colors anchor specific bands across the ladder so the operator can visually identify reference-band positions during the gel run and on the post-stain image without an external reference. Ships as 2 × 250 µL at 0.1 – 0.4 mg/mL in a stable storage buffer.
Range-label discrepancy note (FQ-015): The universe price-list labels this product "9–245 kDa" while the manufacturer brochure datasheet specifies "5–245 kDa". This page is authored to the brochure spec (5–245 kDa) since the brochure is the manufacturer-issued reference. The universe 9 kDa label may reflect the lowest band consistently observed during gel-imaging on standard SDS-PAGE (vs the 5 kDa brochure spec, which is the nominal range floor). Confirm specification at quote with Accuris.
Key Specifications
| SKU | PR5013-TC |
| Type | Pre-stained protein molecular-weight marker — tri-color formulation |
| Pack format | 2 × 250 µL |
| Number of bands | 13 pre-stained protein standards |
| Molecular-weight range (brochure) | 5 – 245 kDa (universe label says 9–245 kDa — see range-discrepancy note above) |
| Stain format | Tri-color (three different stain colors across the 13 bands) |
| Concentration | 0.1 – 0.4 mg/mL |
| Storage buffer | 20 mM Tris-Phosphate, 2% SDS, 0.2 mM Dithiothreitol, 3.6 M Urea, 15% Glycerol |
| Recommended load | 5 µL per well |
| Formulation | Ready-to-use — direct-load on SDS-PAGE gel |
| Returns | Non-returnable — perishable reagent per Accuris reagent-return policy |
Why Tri-Color Pre-Stained
Pre-stained markers are visible during the gel run — the operator can monitor protein migration in real time and stop the run at the appropriate point without first staining the gel post-run. Tri-color formulation uses three different stain colors across the 13 reference bands so the operator can quickly anchor specific MW positions during loading verification, during the run, and on the post-stain image without counting bands.
Use cases for pre-stained vs unstained markers:
| Marker type | Visible during run | When to pick |
| Pre-stained tri-color (this product) | Yes — visible during run | Workflows where real-time migration monitoring matters; routine SDS-PAGE; western-blot transfer reference (the stained bands transfer to the membrane and serve as transfer-quality and MW-position references on the blot) |
| Unstained ladder | No (visible only after gel staining) | High-precision MW determination workflows where the unstained marker's bands are sharper and the workflow doesn't need real-time tracking |
For most routine SDS-PAGE and western-blot workflows, the pre-stained tri-color marker is the default working ladder.
Buffer Composition Detail
The PR5013-TC ships in a storage buffer formulated for SDS-PAGE compatibility:
- 20 mM Tris-Phosphate — pH-buffering for storage stability
- 2% SDS — keeps proteins denatured in linear conformation for accurate MW determination
- 0.2 mM Dithiothreitol (DTT) — reducing agent that maintains protein disulfide reduction
- 3.6 M Urea — supplemental denaturant for storage stability
- 15% Glycerol — density loading-aid (helps the marker sink into the well during loading)
Because the buffer already includes loading-dye-equivalent SDS, DTT, glycerol components, the marker is direct-loadable on the gel without operator-side loading-buffer supplementation.
Application Profile
Routine SDS-PAGE molecular-weight determination — the workhorse pre-stained ladder for routine SDS-PAGE analysis of protein lysates, purified proteins, expression-construct verification, and immunoprecipitation product analysis.
Western-blot transfer-quality reference — the pre-stained bands transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes during western-blot transfer; the visible color bands on the blot serve as transfer-quality control (verify even transfer across the membrane) and MW-position reference (anchor your specific antibody-detected band to a MW reference).
Real-time migration monitoring — workflows where the operator stops the gel run at a specific migration progress point (rather than a fixed time) — pre-stained marker visibility during the run is essential.
Tri-color band identification — the three stain colors anchor specific reference bands at-a-glance, reducing band-counting errors when calibrating MW position on the gel image.
Educational protein-electrophoresis labs — undergraduate biochemistry teaching where the visible pre-stained ladder gives students immediate visual feedback during the gel run.
Quality-control protein-electrophoresis — recurring QC of protein-prep yields, expression checks, and purification-step yields where the standard MW ladder is part of every gel.
Ordering & Configuration
Storage & handling. Per Accuris marker kit instructions — typical –20 °C storage with limited freeze-thaw cycle tolerance. The 2 × 250 µL pack supports rotating one tube into active use while keeping the second in deep storage.
Loading practice. Recommended 5 µL per well loading volume per the brochure spec — a standard SDS-PAGE marker loading volume that delivers visible band intensity without over-loading.
Returns. Per the universe price-list category header: reagent products including protein markers are non-returnable due to perishable nature.
Confirm at quote: workflow type (routine SDS-PAGE, western-blot, MW determination), MW range fit (5–245 kDa per brochure / 9–245 kDa per universe — see range-discrepancy note), expected workflow throughput, shipping conditions (cold-chain), and lead time.
Warranty: Per Accuris Life Science Reagents standard kit terms — confirm at quote.
Accuris SmartCheck Protein Marker family:
- PR5013-TC (this product) — Tri-Color Protein Marker, 13 bands, 5–245 kDa (per brochure)
The PR5013-TC is the Accuris pre-stained protein-marker offering for routine SDS-PAGE and western-blot workflows.
