= Western blot band interpretation
Band position gives an apparent <mass>, not unique <protein> identity. Intensity depends on retention, <epitope> recognition and detection response; it does not establish folded state, <enzyme> activity or successful <protein targeting>. Missing bands can reflect missing targets or failed <Western blot transfer> or <Western blot antibody detection>. <Considerations when quantitating protein abundance by immunoblot by Alicia A. McDonough and others>[McDonough and others, “Consider the Specificity of the Antibody for the Target” and “Consider the Linearity of the Detection System”]{ref}
The <yeast cross-species complementation experiment> consequently combines two logically different readouts: <Western blot> evidence about production of an <antibody>-recognized <protein>, and growth evidence about <functional complementation>. A detectable <protein> need not perform the biological task required for growth.
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