Identification of Mycoplasma and other microorganisms by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of cell proteins.

The proteins of Mycoplasma cells of various species produce highly reproducible and species-specific electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels containing 5 m urea and 35% acetic acid. These electrophoretic patterns can be used for the rapid identification and classification of Mycoplasma. Preliminary results indicate that this method may also be used for the identification and classification of other microorganisms.