Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of human brain proteins. V. Non-equilibrium gel electrophoresis, with detection of a myelin basic protein mutation--MBL-Duarte.

To examine the basic human brain proteins, we subjected 9 mmol/L urea extracts to non-equilibrium gel electrophoresis. The pattern observed differs distinctly from that with equilibrium gel electrophoresis. With this technique, the myelin proteins (myelin basic protein, proteolipids, and basic Wolfgram proteins) and many other unindentified major basic proteins can be demonstrated. The myelin basic proteins occur as two major polypeptides of different charge and slightly different molecular mass, indicating the action of at least two genes. The proteolipid proteins occur as a long series of charge isomers, suggesting multiple genes or extensive post-transcriptional modification. In one patient with schizophrenia, a charge-change mutation of the larger myelin basic protein (MBL) was observed and is termed "MBL-Duarte."