Rapid electrophoretic separation of pre-beta-migrating high density lipoproteins using automated PhastSystem: application to analysis of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase-deficient plasma

To identify pre-beta-high density lipoproteins, a rapid two-dimensional separation by electrophoresis (1 hour 30 minutes) was performed on an automated Phast System. This procedure used commercially available polyacrylamide gradient gels (4-15%) and allows sensitive and reproducible results. Pre-beta-1- and pre-beta-2-high density lipoproteins were clearly identified by this method. In addition, our procedure was successfully applied to diagnosis of a patient with familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency, characterized by the absence of alpha-high density lipoproteins.