A case of tetramer Bence Jones proteinaemia.

A case of Bence Jones proteinaemia without concomitant Bence Jones proteinuria is described. The protein consisted of four λ type light chains with a molecular weight of 84,000. A pair of dimers were non-covalently bonded to form the tetramer. The dimers in turn were formed of disulphide linked monomers. The absence of proteinuria is discussed with regard to the renal clearance of a tetramer Bence Jones protein compared to that of a monomer or dimer protein.