IMMUNOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE STUDIES OF BETA-TRACE PROTEIN IN DIFFERENT SPECIES AND ORGANS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

—The localization of beta-trace protein in different human organs and in the brains of other mammals has been investigated with immunochemical and immunofluorescence methods. With the double immunodiffusion technique, the immunological identity between beta-trace protein in human CSF, brain, femoral nerve, testis, epididymis, spermatic cord, ovary and fallopian tube and in monkey brain could be demonstrated. By means of single radial immunodiffusion on agar, the highest concentrations of beta-trace protein were found in preparations of water-soluble proteins of brain and genital organs, especially in white CNS matter, testis and epididymis. With the indirect immunofluorescence technique, bright fluorescence was found in CNS, especially in white matter, and in the stroma of epididymis. The content of beta-trace protein in femoral nerve was found to be considerably lower than that in the CNS. The results indicate a connexion between beta-trace protein and the CNS, probably in the myelin or glial cells, and also between beta-trace protein and the genital system, possibly to cells involved in steroid metabolism. A specificity for highly developed mammals, i.e. man and monkey, is proposed for beta-trace protein, as no precipitation could be found when brain extracts from calves, rabbits or mice were incubated with anti-serum against human beta-trace protein.