Protein electrophoresis 589968 224739471 2008-07-10T05:33:56Z Senator Palpatine 7357381 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/66.198.147.20|66.198.147.20]] to last version by Ragesoss (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:Electrophoresis.png|thumb|Schematic representation of a protein electrophoresis gel]] In [[chemistry]] and [[medicine]], '''protein electrophoresis''' (a.k.a. [[Immunoelectrophoresis ]]) is a method of analysing a mixture of [[protein]]s by means of [[gel electrophoresis]], mainly in [[blood]] [[blood plasma|serum]] ([[blood plasma]] is not suitable). Before the widespread use of electrophoresis gels, protein electrophoresis was performed on paper (sometimes in combination with [[paper chromotography]]). == Interpretation == There are two classes of [[blood]] [[protein]]s: [[serum albumin]] and [[globulin]]. They are generally equal in proportion, but [[albumin]] is much smaller and lightly negatively charged, leading to an accumulation of albumin on the electrophoretic gel. A small band before albumin represents [[transthyretin]] (also named prealbumin). Some forms of medication or body chemicals can cause their own band, usually small. Abnormal bands (spikes) are seen in [[monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance]] and [[multiple myeloma]], and are useful in the diagnosis of these conditions. The [[globulin]]s are classified by their banding pattern (with their main representatives): * The ''[[alpha globulin|alpha]]'' (α) band consists of two parts, 1 and 2: ** '''α<sub>1</sub>''' - [[alpha 1-antitrypsin|α<sub>1</sub>-antitrypsin]], α<sub>1</sub>-acid glycoprotein. ** '''α<sub>2</sub>''' - [[haptoglobin]], [[alpha 2-macroglobulin|α<sub>2</sub>-macroglobulin]], [[Alpha 2-antiplasmin|α<sub>2</sub>-antiplasmin]], [[ceruloplasmin]]. * The ''[[beta globulin|beta]]'' (β) band - [[transferrin]], [[LDL]], [[complement system|complement]] * The ''[[Gamma globulin|gamma]]'' (γ) band - [[immunoglobulin]] (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM). [[Paraprotein]]s (in [[multiple myeloma]]) appear in this band. == See also == * [[Gel electrophoresis]] * [[Paraprotein]] * [[Electrofocusing]] * [[QPNC-PAGE]] * [[Immunofixation]] {{Protein methods}} [[Category:Electrophoresis]] [[Category:Molecular biology]] [[Category:Protein methods]] [[Category:Laboratory techniques]] [[Category:Hematology]] [[Category:Medical tests]] [[de:Serumelektrophorese]] [[fr:Électrophorèse des protéines]] [[pl:Proteinogram]] == External links == [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/113343976/ABSTRACT Discontinuous native protein gel electrophoresis] [http://wolfson.huji.ac.il/purification/ Protein purification facility]