Cellular distribution of beta-trace protein in CNS and brain tumours.

The low-molecular weight beta-trace protein constitutes about seven per cent of the total protein content in human cerebrospinal fluid. Within the central nervous system the protein is found predominantly in white matter and fractions enriched in glial cells. Immunofluorescence studies on sections of monkey brains show that beta-trace protein is particularly localized to cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Significantly higher amounts of beta-trace protein are found in brain tumours derived from glial cells than in other tumours.