Metabolic labeling with amino acids.

Metabolic labeling techniques are used to study biosynthesis, processing, intracellular transport, secretion, degradation, and physical-chemical properties of proteins. This update focuses on pulse-labeling and pulse-chase experiments done with [(35)S]-methionine, but gives directions for labeling with other radiolabeled amino acids, and also offers guidance for the safe use and handling of 35S-labeled compounds.