[Characteristics of the protein spectra of individual representatives of mycobacteria].

A study of proteinograms of some strains of mycobacteria with the use of the method of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel showed that individual strains had characteristic protein spectra which could serve as one of the possible taxonomic characteristics. Analysis of proteinograms of three groups of mycobacteria (tuberculosis, atypical and saprophytes) by electrophoretic mobility of the fractions, with consideration to their homologous character and by the intensity of protein fractions in the mobility zones pointed to heterogeneity of the group of atypical strains and their greater similarity to tuberculosis mycobacteria than to acid-fast saprophytes. Proteinograms of strains H37 Rv and Bov-8 proved to be identical; a marked similarity between the protein spectra of M. avium and M. battey was revealed.