Plasma protein

This article is a stub, meaning that it is unfinished. It will eventually be expanded.

• Total protein
  • Normal serum level 66 - 83 g/L
  • Normal urine level < 0,1 g/L
  • Biuret test (copper forms purple complex with proteins in alkaline solution)
  • Colour intensity proportional to protein concentration – photometry

• Albumin
  • Normal serum level 35 - 53 g/L
  • Albumin forms green complex with BCG at pH 4,1
  • Photometry

• Specific proteins
  • Measurement based on immunogenicity – use of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • Immunoassay – biochemical test measuring concentration of protein by using antibody
    • Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
    • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
    • Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
    • Fluorescence
  • Proteins
    • Microalbumin (high sensitivity albumin measurement)
    • Hormones
    • Tumour markers
    • Drugs
    • B12
    • Folic acid
    • Transferrin
    • Ferritin
    • EPO
    • HCG
    • Troponin
    • Procalcitonin
• Separation techniques
  • Chromatography
  • Electrophoresis – sample added to gel -> electric field applied -> molecules separated by electric charge -> stained to make charged molecules visible
    • Qualitative, semi-quantitative!
    • Serum, not plasma (fibrinogen forms a band)
    • Serum electrophoresis – monoclonal paraproteins
    • CSF electrophoresis – multiple sclerosis
    • Haemoglobin electrophoresis – haemoglobinopathies
    • Lipid electrophoresis – dyslipidaemias
    • Urine electrophoresis – Bence-Jones protein