Characterization of rat alpha 1 microglobulin

A molecule heterogeneous in charge with an apparent MW of 30 000 d and associated chromophore and carbohydrate was isolated from rat urine. When compared to human alpha 1-m its fluorescence spectra as well as staining pattern on agarose gel electrophoresis or electrofocussing were very similar. Furthermore, the specific antiserum prepared against the molecule detects an antigenic determinant also detected by monoclonal antibodies against human alpha 1-m. For these reasons this protein can be considered as the rat equivalent of human alpha 1-m.