COMPUTERIZED EVALUATION PROCEDURE FOR COMPARING THE ELECTROPHORETIC PROTEIN-PATTERNS OF BACTERIAL STRAINS

The advantages and drawbacks of different methods of evaluating electr ophoretic (SDS-PAGE) protein patterns were studied by comparing Erysip elothrix rhusiopathiae strains. The computerized evaluation procedure recommended by the authors renders it possible to determine objectivel y the degree of similarity of the protein composition of the different strains according to molecular mass. The degree of similarity obtaine d in four parallel analyses of a given strain was 988 +/- 0.55 on a sc ale on which 1000 equals complete identity. The method can be used wit hout adjustment even in those cases where the two strains to be compar ed contain unequal amounts of electrophoresed proteins.