his and myc tags - (Aug/02/2004 )

hi,
i just joined a new lab that uses "his" and "myc" tags on the genes they transfect; i have searched several protocol books and have not found what these are.

can you help me/direct me to a reference to help?? what exactly do these names stand for and mean biologically?

thanks!

A his-tag is a technique used in biochemistry to purify proteins. The protein to purify is expressed as a fusion protein, carrrying a series of histidine residues at either the amino or the carboxyl end. The name-giving histidine residues will stick to a nickel surface, and can be eluted from there via imidazol. His-tagged proteins can also be identified on a Western blot via á-his-antibodies.
Myc tags are similar.