What Is the Serum Protein Electrophoresis?

Serum protein electrophoresis is a laboratory technique that separates blood proteins so that they can be identified and measured. Blood is collected into either an airtight vial or syringe.

How it Works

• The serum sample is placed on a layer of agarose (i.e. a polysaccharide obtained from agar) gel. An electric current is applied to the gel, causing the proteins to move across it. Different proteins move at different rates due to their shape and size and the electrical charge they carry.

Proteins

• Gel electrophoresis separates serum proteins into groups called albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma. Albumin accounts for about 60 percent of the protein found in serum. The other proteins are collectively known as globulins.

Medical Testing

• Serum protein electrophoresis can identify any abnormalities in the types and amounts of proteins present in the serum to help diagnose diseases. It can then be used to monitor the condition.

Urine Protein Electrophoresis

• Urine protein electrophoresis is a similar test used to separate proteins in the urine.

Function

• Serum protein electrophoresis roughly measures the types of protein in the serum of a blood sample to identify some diseases such as multiple myeloma (i.e. tumor in bone marrow), amyloidosis (i.e. deposition of amyloid, a protein substance in bodily organs) and macroglobulinemia (i.e. increased blood serum viscosity).