ANALYSIS OF LOW-MOLECULAR-MASS PROTEINS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID BY SODIUM DODECYL-SULFATE CAPILLARY GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS

Proteins of low molecular mass (M-r) in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF ) were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis in a sodium dodecyl sulfa te-containing polymer solution. Under the conditions employed, peaks o f beta(2)-microglobulin (beta MG) (M-r: 11 700), gamma-trace protein ( 12 300), myelin basic protein (18 000), beta-trace protein (beta TP) ( 23 000 to 30 000) and alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (42 000) were detecte d on the electropherograms. The concentrations of beta MG and beta TP were determined based on the peak area relative to that of an internal standard, Orange G, which was added at a constant amount as the front marker. It was demonstrated that their levels in CSF change under var ious pathological conditions in the central nervous system. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science B.V.