Distribution of serum proteins and beta-trace protein within the nervous system.

Abstract

Abstract— The concentration of beta‐trace protein, a low molecular weight water‐soluble protein, was significantly higher in cerebral and cerebellar white matter than in grey matter. A similar distribution was found for transferrin. The concentrations of gamma‐trace protein and pre‐albumin were almost constant in cerebral and cerebellar white and grey matter. A different distribution was shown for albumin, betalc/betalA globulins, and the immunoglobulins G, A and M, with the highest concentrations mostly encountered in the highly vascularized basal ganglia and grey matter, and the lowest concentrations in white matter. Thus, different parameters, hitherto unknown determine the distribution within the central nervous system of various proteins‐those which originate from serum, and beta‐trace protein which originates mainly from the central nervous system.The amounts of the different proteins were higher in the choroid plexus than in brain tissue, with the exception of gamma‐trace protein.Foetal brains contained increasing concentrations of beta‐trace protein and of transferrin with age.Femoral nerve contained lower concentrations of beta‐trace protein and gamma‐trace protein, and higher concentrations of the other proteins, than the central nervous system.