Urine proteins in renal disease. II. Alpha 2-microgiobulins in tubular proteinurias with special reference to endemic nephropathy.
Urine microglobulins were analyzed in 145 patients with a variety of chronic renal disease, 58 of whom had endemic nephropathy. On agarose-gel electrophoresis, the urinary-protein patterns of either tubular or mixed tubulo-glomerular type invariably showed two to three discrete alpha 2-migrating bands differing slightly in net charge. Marked differences in their relative concentrations occurred from one case to another and, following prolonged storage at 4 degrees C, in the same urine as well. All three fractions showed only a single precipitation line on immunoelectrophoresis when tested against antisera to urinary proteins; thus it would appear that they represent differently charged, but antigenically identical molecular forms of a protein of low molecular weight. The results also suggest that their detection might be used as an indicator for clinical purpose of impaired tubular function.
D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000652:urine*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000652:urine*; D007684:Kidney Tubules; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000652:urine*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D000906:Antibodies