The proteins in psoriatic scales : Nonexistence of a metachromatic glycoprotein reported in extracts of psoriatic scales

Abstract

A description is given of attempts to isolate a metachromatic glycoprotein from alkaline extracts of psoriatic scales. Salt fractionation and isoelectric precipitation of the proteins in these scales produces a number of complex mixtures which are contaminated with serum proteins. Electrophoretic and immunological studies have been conducted on the fraction reported to contain the specific glycoprotein. The results indicate that no such compound exists and that the metachromasia in this special protein fraction, if detectable, must be attributed to the chondroitin sulphate coprecipitating with human serum albumin.