Electrophoretic Analysis of Serum Proteins in Cystic Fibrosis

Letter to the Editor: Is Cystic Fibrosis Protein a Diagnostic Marker for Individuals Who Harbor the Defective Gene?

“…Much of the controversy arose from reports published by investigators who failed to detect a unique protein band with a pI between pH 8.4 and 8.5 in sera from individuals known to be homozygotes or obligate heterozygotes for the CF gene (6)(7)(8). Those reports stated either that the methods used were analogous to those used in our laboratory (19) or that they were improvements over our method (6)(7)(8).…”

“…The information in Table 1 is provided only to supplement the details and requirements of our technique for use with the apparatus of Awdeh et al (2) and the LKB Multiphor as stated in previous communications (10,11,19,22), and should not be construed as superseding our previous reports (10,11,19,22), unless specifically indicated in the "Comments" column. When our methods are compared with those of Scholey et al (4) and other investigators (6)(7)(8), several items seem particularly noteworthy. 1) Clearly, the procedures employed for serum sample collection, processing, and storage are critical and should not be varied as some investkators haveldone (8).…”

“…When our methods are compared with those of Scholey et al (4) and other investigators (6)(7)(8), several items seem particularly noteworthy. 1) Clearly, the procedures employed for serum sample collection, processing, and storage are critical and should not be varied as some investkators haveldone (8).…”

“…In our earlier work (20) we made note of this fact, and in our later communication (19) we indicated that the gels should be viewed with a colored filter. Neither Altland et al (I), Smith et al (6), nor Thomas et al (7,8) indicated that they used a colored filter or x-ray viewing box to inspect the stained gels, although they did indicate that the background staining made it difficult to detect the CFP band (1,7,8). As Scholey et al (4) point out, the use of a colored filter is essential for the detection of the CFP.…”

Letter to the Editor

“…We question the validity of the techniques used, claims of having reproduced our method for detecting CFP, or supposed improvements designed to enhance detection of CFP, since Smith et a/. (4) and Thomas et al (5) could not even reproduce our protein banding patterns. It is quite obvious from their figure that the pH region of 8.3 to 9 is poorly resolved and overloaded.…”