Lapin: Two-dimensional electrophoresis of urinary proteins

A two dimensional electrophoretic method is described for the routine clinical analysis of urinary proteins. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis is used for the first dimension, and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) electrophoresis for the second dimension, the latter being performed together with gel staining (Coomassie Blue) on the „Phast System". The Separation media are supplied äs "ready-to-use" materials. The method is reliable and reproducible, and is complete within 100 minutes. The resulting two-dimensional pattern of major proteinuria contituents is evaluated visually from the distribution according to molecular weight (second dimension) and from the five zone pattern of cellulose acetate electrophoresis (first dimension). Certain "marker" proteins specific for certain pathological changes, äs well äs certain characteristic changes in protein spot constellation, can be more easily recognized and evaluated than in one-dimensional SDS electrophoresis.