Trace Proteins in Biological Fluids III. Quantitation of γ-Trace and Major Spinal Fluid Proteins Including β-Trace. ∗ †

Summary

β-trace, γ-trace, albumin, transferrin and γ-globulin protein concentrations were determined immunochemically in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with or without neurologic disease. Special reference was made to the relative concentration of the “trace” proteins with respect to total and individual CSF proteins. In normal CSF, the concentration of γ-trace was approximately 0.83 mg% (2% of total proteins), and was 2 fold greater in infants than in adults. The concentration of β-trace was approximately 4 mg% (10% of total proteins,). It was concluded that the β-trace is a major protein constituent of CSF. The absolute levels of both trace proteins were indepedent of the changes in total or individual proteins in CSF from patients with neurologic diseases studied. A mechanism which may account for the accumulation of these proteins in CSF is discussed.