Electrophoresis of human multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia sera in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels.

Sera from normal persons and patients with IgA, IgD, IgG, and IgM monoclonal gammopathies were electrophoresed in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. The gels were stained with Coomassie blue or were used for immunodiffusion. By this method IgG multiple myeloma and IgM Waldenström's macroglobulinemia sera were readily distinguished by electrophoresis alone, whereas IgA and IgD myeloma sera were distinguished by further immunodiffusion against anti-alpha-chain antibody and anti-delta-chain antibody.