Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis as an aid in the analysis of monoclonal gammopathies.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is the most powerful protein separation technique currently available. In the authors' laboratory it has proved useful in the analysis of specimens from patients with monoclonal gammopathies when those specimens were otherwise difficult to diagnose. Examples of problematic specimens include biclonal gammopathies, heavy chain diseases, and monoclonal gammopathies that show a small or invisible spike on serum protein electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. In addition, two-dimensional electrophoresis is being used to investigate the pathophysiologic features of myeloma kidney disease, especially regarding potential interactions of Bence Jones proteins and kidney proteins.