Electrophoresis 'used to identify proteins linked to TB'

Scientists have used electrophoresis in their analytic chemistry study to identify proteins connected to tuberculosis (TB).

To assess the changes in composite proteins caused by contracting TB, Japanese researchers collected whole blood supernatants from sufferers, as well as healthy subjects.

Published in BMC Infectious Diseases, the report used electrophoresis to indentify proteins with a higher molecular weight.

Control levels were compared to those in subjects carrying the disease.

Illustrating that various protein levels differ between the two, the results showed that RPB4 and fetuin-A proteins were lower in those with TB than in samples without it.

The researchers hope that identifying these proteins "may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of TB".

BMC Infectious Diseases is an online journal that publishes open access research.

All papers appearing on the site are reviewed by peers and then released immediately after approval - and these can focus on any areas relating to infectious disease prevention, diagnosis and management.