Electrophoresis of gliadins in long acrylamide gels: method and nomenclature

Gliadins, defined as wheat kernel storage proteins soluble in 70% ethanol, possess an electrophoretic diversity permitting us to identify different varieties. Because of genetic proximity, however, it sometimes proves impossible to distinguish between different varieties using standard methods. An electrophoresis method, utilizing a discontinuous buffer system with aluminum lactate and potassium lactate in the gel and sodium lactate in the electrode vessels, is described for two types of gels 18 cm and 32 cm in length. The number of bands is higher than with standard methods, and is significantly increased with long gels, facilitating the distinction between varieties. A nomenclature for the new bands is presented for several widely different cultivars.