ISOELECTRIC-FOCUSING OF TAMM-HORSFALL GLYCOPROTEINS - A SIMPLE TOOL FOR RECOGNIZING RECURRENT CALCIUM-OXALATE RENAL STONE FARMERS

Tamm-Horsfall glycoproteins (THPs) from healthy probands and a majorit y of recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone formers reveal different ph ysicochemical properties when analyzed using isoelectric focusing (IEF ). The pi values of THPs from healthy probands are approximately 3.5 w hile THPs from recurrent renal stone formers have pi values of between 4.5 and 6. The two groups of THPs exhibit completely different protei n patterns. The differences in IEF analysis allow differentiation betw een THPs from healthy probands and recurrent calcium oxalate stone for mers and may possibly be used as a simple diagnostic method for the re cognition of recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone formers.