Disc electrophoresis of prostatic fluid. Relative mobility and molecular weight of some enzymes and proteins

High resolution analysis of human prostatic fluid by two-dimensional electrophoresis

High-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis has been used to resolve the major protein components of human prostatic fluid. Samples taken from individuals ranging in age from 19 to 74 years show ten major proteins that are consistently present in the fluids examined. Seven major proteins appear to have age-dependent patterns of synthesis and accumulation in the prostatic fluid. A major protein in the human fluid has electrophoretic properties similar to the glycosylated component of the rat ventral prostate secretory protein known as prostatic binding protein, prostatein, or estramustine binding protein. The isoelectric point/molecular weight of the human protein is 6.0/17,000 compared with 5.6/13,000 for the rat protein. Protein patterns from benign prostatic hyperplasia cases were not dramatically different from the normal patterns.

A radioimmune assay for human prostatic acid phosphatase-levels in prostatic disease

Prostatic acid phosphatase from human seminal fluid was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme was characterized as to its purity, molecular weight and amino acid composition. Analytical isoelectric focusing of purified enzyme on polyacrylamide gels resolved the enzyme activity into eleven discrete bands, apparently due to various amounts of sialic acid associated with the glycoprotein. Antisera raised against the purified enzyme produced only one precipitan arc on immunoelectrophoresis. A double antibody radioimmune assay was developed and used to evaluate serum prostatic acid phosphatase in 226 patients without prostatic disease, in 186 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and in 93 patients with prostatic carcinoma. No statistical difference was noted in serum prostatic acid phosphatase between patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and in those without prostatic disease Serum prostatic acid phosphatase was elevated in 94% of the patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma. Significant elevations were also found in carcinoma patients without metastases.