Cost-benefit analysis of a method using diatomaceous earth to purify Tamm-Horsfall protein

摘要

Ever since Tamm and Horsfall first identified Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) over a half-century before, its true function has baffled investigators. Studies have suggested that THP could have a role in prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI) by its adherence properties . THP is synthesized in the thick ascending kidney tubules and is not found anywhere else in the body, although the THP gene is evolutionary conserved in all vertebrates. THP exists as a polymeric glycoprotein with a monomeric molecular weight (MW) of 88.000, and storage of THP has always proven to be difficult. THP quantitatively decreases over time even when dissolved in phosphate buffer at 4 deg C. This phenomenon was prevented when using Triton X-100 and EDTA at an alkaline pH (TEA) instead of phosphate buffer.