The ChIP assay typically involves the following steps:
1. Cross-linking: The cells are treated with a cross-linking agent, such as formaldehyde, to fix the protein-DNA interactions. 2. Cell Lysis and DNA Shearing: The cells are lysed to release the chromatin, and the DNA is sheared into small fragments using sonication or enzymatic digestion. 3. Immunoprecipitation: The sheared chromatin is incubated with an antibody specific to the protein of interest, which is then captured using protein A/G beads. 4. Reverse Cross-linking: The cross-links are reversed to separate the protein from the DNA. 5. DNA Purification and Analysis: The DNA is purified and analyzed using techniques such as PCR, qPCR, or sequencing.
