Analysis of apolipoprotein size distribution by electroimmunoblotting from non-denaturing composite gels

An exponential gradient gel with 0-35% acrylamide and 0.5% agarose was developed for electrophoresis of intact lipoproteins with subsequent electroimmunoblotting. The system resolved in a single gel lipoprotein-associated proteins of sizes from 'free' apoproteins to VLDL. Reproducibility between gels was good (coefficient of variation < 8%). Examination of the effect of mild glutaraldehyde fixation on immunodetection showed variable results (lack of effect on apos (a), AII, and AIV; inhibition of apoB; enhancement of apos AI and E). The composite gel system described here will simplify analysis of apolipoprotein distributions in both health and disease and therefore will likely be useful in future clinical applications.