Determination of Total Urinary Protein, Combining
Lowry Sensitivity and Biuret Specificity
Karl Doetsch and Richard H. Gadsden
A highly sensitive method with specificity for the peptidechain
backbone was developed fordetermi- nation of total urinary protein.
Interfering substances are removed by gelfiltrationand
cupricionsare sto- ichiometricallybound to the peptidebonds of
protein by the biuretreaction.Ion-exchange characteristics of the
gel are neutralized, allowing protein-copper complex to be
separatedfrom excess cupricionsby a second gelfiltrationstep.Copper
bound to peptide bonds is colorimetrically determined by use of
sodi- um diethyldithiocarbamate. Nonprotein substances do not
interfereunless they simultaneouslybind to proteinand
chelatecopper.As littleas 1 mg of total protein per deciliter can
be determined in heteroge- neous biological fluids such as
urine.
Additional Keyphrases: normal range #{149}peptide-bound Cu
determined with Na diethyldithiocarbamate #{149}inter- method
comparison
The diverse physical and chemical properties of the various kinds
of human protein have resulted in a large number of analytical
methods (1). Each method is affected by external interferences and
by inherent biases. Because numerous and often unde- fined
substances are present in biologic fluids, ana-
lytical conditions are not always well controlled. Re- sults
obtained depend on the method rather than the actual protein
concentration. Albumin is a simple protein comprised essentially of
only amino acids. Many other protein species contain various
amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and other constituents, and these
nonpeptide constituents often contribute non- specifically and
erroneously to protein analysis. Some reactions have been
considered specific for protein because of the high concentration
of protein and the minimum concentrations of interferences present
in serum. For example, the biuret reaction is highly susceptible to
interference by nonprotein sub- stances (2-5). Besides pigments,
any substance con- taining nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur that is able
to
From the Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pathology,
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S. C.
29401.
Received July 10,1973;accepted Aug. 13, 1973.
complex cupric ion may cause falsely elevated re- sults. The Lowry
method has been shown to be even more susceptible to interferences
(6-8). Besides pig- ments, any substance able to reduce the Folin
phe- nol reagent may cause falsely elevated results.
A suitable method combining both sensitivity and specificity has
been lacking for the determination of low concentrations of protein
in biologic fluids. Pe- ters (9) proposed that the method of choice
for total protein assay in clinical laboratories should be a ver-
sion of the biuret reaction, the measurement to be made relative to
that for pure bovine serum albumin (or human serum albumin) that
previously had been standardized by Kjeldahl analysis. A
modification of the biurt method comparable to the Lowry
method
in sensitivity was originally described by Nielsen (10) and
modified by Westley and Lambeth (11).
Klungsoyr (12) further modified the earlier methods by using gel
filtration to remove excess copper from the biuret reaction
mixture. None of these three methods, however, was adapted to
clinical laborato- ry use.
A semi-automated biuret method for determina- tion of total urinary
protein, in which gel filtration is used to remove interfering
substances, has been de- scribed by Doetsch (13). The limit of
sensitivity is 50 mg/dl total protein in the sample. In the
proposed method, removal of unbound copper by an addition- al gel
filtration step and subsequent colorimetric assay for copper bound
to peptide bonds extends the limit of sensitivity to 1 mg of total
protein per decili- ter of sample. Nonprotein substances do not
interfere because only the peptide chain backbone (-RCH- CO-NH-)
contributes to the analysis. The new and highly sensitive modified
biuret assay described here is a true determination of protein
peptide back- bone as suggested by Nielsen (10) for a standard ref-
erence method.
Materials and Methods
60 g 40 g 15 g
5g 1 liter
2 Columns are prepared by cutting off the tip and reaming the
opening with blunt-end surgical scissors. The enlarged opening
assures a more rapid and uniform flow. Columns and funnels are
washed with a test tube brush and tap water at the end of the day
and can be re-used indefinitely.
Biuret reagent should not be added to the collection cups be- fore
the column effluent has been collected completely, because protein
sometimes coagulates as a result of the initial high rela- tive
base concentration that exists as the first few drops are col-
lected.
We have found that distilled water may be used as the eluent in the
second gel filtration instead of the sodium hydroxide re-
agent.
Manual colorimetry can be performed by adding 2.0 ml of DTC color
reagent to the second column effluents and measuring the color
developed after 10 minutes but within one hour.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY, Vol. 19, No. 10,1973 1171
oratories, San Mateo, Calif. 94401): Plastic column
chromatography racks and trays, Cat. No. 0904. Polyethylene column
elements, 11 mm in diameter and 50 mm high, Cat. No. 0956.
Polyethylene col- umn funnels, Cat. No. 0901.
Single-channel “AutoAnalyzer” system (Techni- con Corp., Tarrytown,
N. Y. 10591).
Reagents
Only analytical reagent-grade chemicals and dis- tilled water were
used.
Sephadex G-50-80 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Piscataway, N. J.
08854). The gel was hydrated ac- cording to manufacturer’s
directions (14). A large- bore, 10-ml serological pipette was used
to charge the columns.
Biuret reagent. A modification of Weichselbaum’s reagent (15) was
prepared. Final sodium hydroxide concentration was 0.2 mol/liter.
Additional sodium potassium tartrate was used to prevent turbidity
in the reaction mixture.
NaKC4H4O6.4H20 NaOH CuSO4.5H2O KI Distilled water, dilute to
Sodium diet hyldithiocarbamate color reagent. Two grams of the
crystalline salt (Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, Jersey City, N. J.
07303) was dis- solved in 1 liter of distilled water. This was a
20-fold excess over minimum concentrations required for lin-
earity. The reagent is stable indefinitely at room temperature.
Five-tenths milliliter of “Brij-35” sur- factant (Technicon) was
added per liter for continu- ous-flow colorimetry.
Sodium hydroxide reagent, 0.1 mol/liter. Human serum albumin (Dade
Division, American
Hospital Supply Corp., Miami, Fla. 33152). Purity and char’acter of
Lot No. PRS-410 were verified by ultracentrifugal analysis,
cellulose-acetate electro- phoresis, and spectrophotometric
absorption analysis according to the criteria of Peters (9). Total
protein value of 7.8 g/dl was assigned by micro-Kjeldahl ni- trogen
analysis (nitrogen value multiplied by the factor 6.25). HSA1 was
determined to be more than 99.5% pure and to contain less than 5%
aggregates. Working standards in the range 2-80 mg/dl were made by
dilution with physiological saline. These standards are stable for
about a month stored at 25 #{176}Cin brown bottles if a few
crystals of sodium azide are added.
A bnormal urine chemistry control (Lederle Diag- nostics, Pearl
River, N. Y. 10965), Lot No. 2921- 695H1, was diluted two-fold with
physiological saline and stored as were the working
standards.
1 Nonstandard abbreviations used: HSA, human serum al- bumin (Dade
Division, American Hospital Supply Corp., Miami, Fla. 33152); DTC,
sodium diethyldithiocarbamate; HSP, human serum protein reference
standard (4.0 g of albumin and 3.5 g of y-globulin per deciliter;
lot No. 2C4V; Dow Diagnostics, India- napolis, hid. 46206); TCA,
trichloroacetic acid.
Procedure
Preparation of columns:2 A set of two columns is used for each
standard, sample, and control. For ini- tial gel filtration, charge
the columns with Sephadex
G-50-80 until the top of the gel is approximately 2 mm from the top
of the column. For the second gel filtration, charge the columns
with Sephadex G-50- 80 until the top of the gel is about 4 mm from
the top of the column. (The gel expands when base is added.) Insert
polyethylene funnels into the col- umns. Add 15 ml of sodium
hydroxide reagent to each column to be used for copper removal in
the second gel filtration. After the sodium hydroxide re- agent has
passed through, this column is ready for removal of excess copper,
because the weak ion-ex- change properties of the gel have been
neutralized, thus preventing loss of copper on the gel. All col-
umns are prepared freshly each day, but may then be used throughout
the working day.
When a diluted aliquot of biuret reagent (contain- ing no protein)
was treated by the copper removal step, the absorbance reading of
the effluent to which
DTC reagent had been added was zero, indicating that excess copper
is completely removed and that there is no copper in the column
bleed.
Gel filtration: Apply 1.0 ml of working standards, samples, and
controls to individual columns. Allow the liquid to percolate into
the gel until column flow ceases. Remove the last hanging drop.
Insert a 5-mi polystyrene AutoAnalyzer cup into the rack beneath
the column and then gently apply 2.0 ml of distilled water to the
top of each column. Collect the effluent until column flow ceases,
including the last hanging drop. Add 0.5 ml of biuret reagent to
each cup,3 mix well (mixing is conveniently accomplished by gently
injecting air bubbles with a disposable Pasteur pi- pette), and
allow to stand at room temperature. After 30 mm, apply 1.0 ml of
the biuret reaction mixture to a base-conditioned column and allow
to percolate into the gel until column flow ceases. Re- move the
last hanging drop. Place a 5-mi polystyrene cup beneath each column
and then carefully apply 2.0 ml of sodium hydroxide reagent4 to the
top of each column. Collect the effluent until column flow ceases,
including the last hanging drop.
Colorimetry: The second gel effluent may be ana- lyzed by manual5
or automated colorimetry. Figure 1
EwufNTII.
Fig. 3a. Elution profile (Sephadex G-50-80), first gel fil-
tration
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
30/H
SAMPLER
To Sample, Wash Receptacle
Waste - p .056 FROM F/C
Fig. 1. Diagram of manifold for determination of total uri- nary
protein by the biuret:DTC method
Fig. 2. Strip-chart recording, illustrating linearity, carry- over,
and steady state
shows the manifold diagram. The working standards, samples, and
controls are analyzed for copper by using the sodium
diethyldithiocarbamate color re- agent (16). The yellowish-brown
color is measured at 440 nm. Ninety-seven percent of full color
develop- ment occurs within 3 mm, but the color must be measured
within 1 h because the copper diethyldi- thiocarbamate complex is
unstable. Decreasing per- cent transmittances of working standards
are plotted vs. HSA concentrations. Sample and control values are
read directly from the chart.6
Results Evaluation of Continuous-Flow Colorimetry
Variation of continuous-flow colorimetry for sam- ples run
successively was less than 1%. Precision for
samples run in mixed orders and interaction between successive
samples were acceptable. Figure 2 is a typical strip chart
recording illustrating the standard curve, sample interaction, and
steady state. Note that sample interaction was reduced by using DTC
color reagent in place of distilled water in the Sam- pler II wash
receptacle.
Gel Filtration and Linearity
The eiution profile for initial gel filtration (Figure 3a) was
determined in fractions from the column by
6 We have found that the series of working standards can be
prepared in advance by individually pooling the gel effluents from
several columns. These may be stored in brown bottles at room
temperature and used to calibrate each run. A control, however, is
included with each group of samples.
Fig. 3b. Elution filtration
use of the biuret reaction and a “Chloride Meter 920” (Corning
Glass Works, Sci. Instruments Div., Medfield, Mass. 02052). At
least 92% of salts and
small molecules are removed from urine by the first gel filtration
step. The protein elution profile for the second gel filtration
(Figure 3b) was determined by using DTC color reagent with column
fractions.
Recovery from gel filtration of protein from solu- tions of various
concentrations of HSA, HSP, and clinical urine samples is constant
for different pro- tein species tested (Table 1), but reflects the
phe- nomenon of less-efficient gel filtration behavior of very
dilute protein solutions as compared to more concentrated ones.
Recovery of protein from the first gel filtration step was
determined by applying 1.0 ml
Added Determined Recovery
Added Determined Added Determined Recovery Recovery
mg/mi % mg/mi %
0.085 87 0.185 95 0.366 94 0.539 93 0.590 0.560 95 0.755 97 0.740
0.710 95 0.947 97 1.91 98 1.85 1.74 94 2.56 98 2.47 2.38 97 3.86 99
3.70 3.65 99 7.74 99 7.40 7.28 98
0.016 66 0.037 0.024 68 0.032 65 0.074 0.049 66 0.064 66 0.150
0.103 68 0.130 67 0.220 0.151 69 0.255 65 0.370 0.261 70 0.414 71
0.590 0.446 76 0.563 72 0.740 0.555 75
1.32 1.31
2.75 2.72
0.045 0.030
0.300 0.020
99
99
67
67
O Results of triplicate determinations. with use of Sephadex
G-50.80. Human serum albumin (Dade Division). Human serum protein
(Dow Diagnostics): 4.0 g albumin and 3.5 g gamma globulin per
deciliter.
10
Fig. 4a. Standard curve for HSA, absorbance vs. concen-
tration
Table 1. Protein Recovery from Gel Filtration’
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY. Vol. 19, No.10,1973 1173
mg/mi
2.60
3.90
7.80
0.049
0.098 0.195 0.390 0.585 0.780
of protein solution to a gel column and eluting with 2.0 ml of
distilled water. A second 1.0-ml aliquot was
diluted to 2.0 ml with distilled water. Biuret reagent was added to
both sets and, after 30 mm, absorban- ces were measured at 550 nm.
Recovery of protein from the second gel filtration was determined
by isolating the biuret protein-copper complex and sub-
sequently applying 1.0 ml of the ensuing protein- copper solution
to a base-treated gel column. The el- uent used was 2.0 ml of
sodium hydroxide reagent. A second 1.0-ml aliquot was diluted to
2.0 ml with so- dium hydroxide reagent. DTC color reagent was added
to both sets and, after 10 mm, absorbances were measured at 440
nm.
A representative standard curve for HSA (absorb- ance) is
illustrated in Figure 4a. The lag at low con- centrations results
from the aforementioned gel-fil- tration behavior. The relationship
between absorb- ance and protein concentration is essentially
linear from 20 to 80 mg/dl. The lag problem in standard- ization is
circumvented by the use of an AutoAnalyz- er chart reader whereby
percent transmittance is plotted vs. HSA concentration (Figure 4b).
By this technique, a straight line is obtained from 2 mg/dl to 20
mg/dl, the portion of the curve where sensitivi- ty is of greatest
importance.
Precision
The largest coefficient of variation for within-run precision was
5%, and precision increased with pro- tein concentration (Table 2).
Mean ± SD for three dilutions of the “Abnormal Urine Chemistry Con-
trol” assayed once daily over 20 days was 16 ± 1, 33
± 2, and 67 ± 3 mg/dl. Best results were obtained by using glass
pipettes.
Accuracy
Known amounts of HSA were added to previously
analyzed clinical urine samples. The results of recov- ery studies
are presented in Table 3. Starting con- centrations of three
clinical urine samples and of HSA solution added were determined by
taking the mean value of 10 analyses. Various amounts of HSA
solution were added to 100-ml aliquots of each urine sample, and
the resulting samples then were ana- lyzed in triplicate. Recovery
of added HSA was 101 ± 3%.
‘C
a
Protein concen- tration mg/dl
Fig. 4b. Standard curve for HSA, percent transmittance vs.
concentration
B. Clinical urine samples
Normal Values
0.212 ± 0.002 0.426 ± 0.005
0.642 ± 0.006 0.850 ± 0.002
0.068 ± 0.001 0.107 ± 0.003 0.147 ± 0.001 0.293 ± 0.009 0.684 ±
0.009 0.934 ± 0.19
#{176}Results of quintuplicate determinations.
Coefficient of variation
5
2
3
3
3
2
Urinary 24-h protein excretion for 88 healthy white adults was
determined over an eight-week period by
the biuret:DTC method.7 The range of total creati- nine excretion
was 1.12 to 2.52 g per day. Subjects were volunteers from the
student body and staff at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Eighty were men between 22 and 36 years of age; three subjects were
older than 36 years but younger than
55 years. Five subjects were women 22 to 29 years old. The values
for all the women fell below the mean value, but there was no
grossly discernible bias
because of age or sex. The medical histories of the subjects were
screened by personal interview, ques- tionnaires, and examination
of student health rec- ords. Consumption of all medications and of
alcohol was controlled by requesting abstinence for 48 h be- fore
and during the collection period. Small amounts of common
medications (antihistamines, aspirin, oral contraceptives) taken by
four subjects and small amounts of alcohol consumed by eight
subjects did not result in values different from those where com-
plete abstinence was the case. The frequency distri- bution for
24-h protein excretion (Figure 5) suggests that most samples have a
primary gaussian distribu- tion but that this overlaps with the
distribution for a subgroup (17). We believe that this subgroup
reflects active, vigorous young men with very mild, benign
physiological proteinuria. Three young men were not included in the
illustrated distributions because their daily total urinary protein
excretion ranged from 257 to 387 mg and samples gave a trace reac-
tion with the sulfosalicylic acid screening test. All values
obtained, however, were included in the nonparametric normal range
determination (18). Be- cause we know of no clinical conditions in
which pro- tein excretion is subnormal, we determined the 95%
“Biuret:DTC method” is our abbreviation for the proposed
method.
Table 3. Recovery of HSA Added to Three Clinical Urine
Samples
HSA Total pro- HSA re. added tein detnd. coveredPresent in
sample mg/dl
Recovery %mg
A. 47.5 15.8 62.7 15.2 96 47.5 31.6 78.6 31.1 98 47.5 55.3 103.5
56.0 101
B. 45.6 15.8 61.2 15.6 99 45.6 31.6 78.4 32.8 104
45.6 55.3 101.0 55.4 100 C. 31.6 7.9 39.4 7.8 99
31.6 15.8 48.2 16.6 105 31.6 31.6 64.5 32.9 104
confidence limits for a one-tailed test. The normal range was 82 to
207 mg of total urinary protein ex- creted per 24 h.
Total protein concentrations in 40 clinical urine samples were
determined in two groups of 20 on each of two days by the proposed
biuret:DTC method; by the TCA:biuret method;8 by the gel
filtration:biuret method;9 by micro-Kjeldahl analysis according to
Ma and Zuazaga (20) of the initial gel effluent; and by the
semi-quantitative sulfosalicylic acid test ac- cording to White et
al. (21). Individual results are compared in Table 4. Results of
Kjeldahl analyses were considerably higher in every case. Figures 6
and 7 are scatter diagrams around regression lines com- paring
methods. Comparative statistics are summa- rized in Table 5.
Contribution of native copper (cop- per bound to protein at loci
other than peptide bonds) to the analyses for 24 clinical samples
was 1
± 1%; results for 19 samples were 1% or less, and
8”TCA:biuret method” is our abbreviation for the method of Foster
et a!. (19).
“Gel filtration:biuret method” is our abbreviation for the method
of Doetsch (13).
55
in
102
I, a
Table 4. Comparison of Results for Total Urinary Protein
Determinations in 40 Clinical SampIesz
Method
17 8 20 12 21 10 24 35
25 24
26 3
SSA6 (21)
neg neg neg neg neg neg trace trace trace trace neg trace trace
trace trace trace trace 1+ 1+
1+ 1+
1+ 2+
17
Fig. 6. Scatter diagram around regression line comparing resultsby
the biuret:DTC and TCA:biuret (19) methods
- in in
IDIOtPWtIi IWil
Fig. 7. Scatter diagram around regression line comparing results by
the biuret:DTC and gel filtration:biuret (13) methods
only one result was greater than 3% (5% for one sam- ple). Total
protein concentration of the “Abnormal Urine Chemistry Control” was
determined to be 67 mg/dl, whereas manufacturer’s stated value was
70 ± 20 mg/dl, as measured by a turbidimetric method.
Total protein concentration of “Human CSF Con- trol,” Lot No.
2917-670H1 (Lederle Diagnostics, Pearl River, N. Y. 10965), was
determined to be 80 mg/dl; the manufacturer’s stated value was 89 ±
11 mg/dl (turbidimetric).
Interferences
Removal of urinary pigments from seven clinical samples was 99 ± 1%
(SD) complete. Recovery of HSA from two clinical samples
demonstrating gross hemoglobinuria was 103% and 104%. Recovery of
HSA from a clinical sample demonstrating gross bili- uria was 98%.
Two urine samples and three different dilutions of another urine
sample were assayed for total protein by the proposed biuret:DTC
method. Then 5 ml of radiographic contrast medium (“Hypaque
Meglumine 60% (w/v)”; Winthrop
35 40 46
76 77
88 100 108 134 181 190 191 200 238 242 255
289 289 291 298 310 313 425
638
22
84 578
O Routine hospital patient specimens, randomly selected. b
Sutfosaticylic acid test.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY, Vol.19,No.10,1973 1175
in in in
Fig. 5. Frequency data for total urinary protein excretion for 85
healthy adults
a
Table 5. Summary of Comparati X±SD Y±SD
ye b
m ,Reference method n mg/dl
TCA:biuret 40 120 ± 130 140 ± 137 33 73 -20 0.89 0.85 Gel
filtration:biuret 40 150 ± 146 140 ± 137 1 29 +10 0.92 0.98
U Abbreviations for statistical parameters: n = no. samples b =
y-intercept of regression line X = mean of reference method Sy =
standard error of estimate Y = mean of test method m = slope of
regression line
SD = standard deviation - -
Bias = mean of reference method (X) minus mean of test method (Y).
r = correlation coefficient
Laboratories, New York, N. Y. 10016) was added to a 95 ml aliquot
of urine of previously established pro-
tein concentration, the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at
room temperature for about 1 h, and each sample was reassayed in
triplicate. Total protein con- centrations upon re-assay fluctuated
widely and un- predictably with both intra- and inter-samples,
indi- cating gross interference.
Amount of Copper Bound to Protein
The protein-to-copper ratio was determined with CuSO4.5H20
standard. One milligram of copper is bound to 10.3 mg of HSA. One
milligram of copper is bound to 10.1 mg of HSP. It was calculated
that 1 mg of copper is bound to 9.9 mg of human serum gamma
globulin. These factors are in accord with Nielsen (10). When human
serum gamma globulin is measured against HSA standard by the
biuret:DTC method, the maximum inherent error expected is 4%.
Using the value 611 amino acids per HSA mole- cule (22) and 69300
molecular weight, we calculated a ratio of six peptide nitrogen
atoms per copper atom. This is in accord with Strickland et al.
(23), but does not contradict the quaternary structure proposed for
the protein-biuret complex (24). It is reasonable that the
conformational change of HSA from its native elliptical shape to a
random coil oc- curring in a highly alkaline medium only exposes
two-thirds of the peptide bonds for reaction with cu- pric ion
while the remaining ones are involved with maintaining the
random-coil structure.
Discussion Sensitivityofthe Method
We determined comparable absorptivities (a), using a solution of
HSA and a Beckman Model DU spectrophotometer.
Wave- Met hod length, nm
Biuret 550 4
Spectrophotometric 280 6
Lowry 660 174
Biuret:DTC 440 170
These data show that the proposed biuret:DTC method gives results
that are comparable in sensitiv- ity to those obtained by the Lowry
method.
Gel Filtrationand Linearity
Gel-filtration behavior of other protein species was identical to
that of HSA, as determined by recovery
studies and by concentration vs. absorbance plots of dilutions of
HSA, HSP, and four clinical urine sam- ples. The lag in the
standard curve at low protein concentrations is an undesirable
feature, but gel fil- tration appears to elicit a more diffuse
elution band for protein solutions of very low concentrations-
probably because of greater relative interactions of proteins with
the solvent system and the dextran gel matrix-and lower recovery
results. It is possible
that the constantly lower recovery of protein from the second gel
filtration compared to the initial gel filtration is caused by
increased nonspecific adsorp- tion of the highly negatively charged
biuret complex to the gel matrix, similar to such adsorption of
aro- matic compounds. It should be mentioned, however, that the
lowest total protein concentration found in analyzing over 200
urine specimens was 3 mg/dl. Only six samples contained less than 5
mg/dl.
Although desalting methodology and the hygro- scopic nature of the
gel make it possible to perform the gel filtration without constant
attention, one should be aware of general principles of
gel-filtration chromatography and not deviate from recommenda-
tions provided by the manufacturer (14). Other dex- tran gels such
a Sephadex G-25-80 may be used both for initial gel filtration and
for second gel filtration to remove excess copper. All proteins and
peptides having a molecular weight greater than 5000 can then be
determined. Relative sample and eluent vol- umes for chromatography
differ slightly and cost per test is higher. We have found that
“Biogels” P-6 or P-b (200-400 mesh) (BioRad Laboratories, Rich-
mond, Calif. 94804) may be used for the initial de- salting step
but not for the copper removal step (there is no specific binding
of the copper such as oc-
curs with the dextran gels). One should carefully in- vestigate
proposed substitution of other reagents for gel filtration, because
subtle differences in chromato- graphic behavior exist.
Method Comparison
Method comparison is difficult because we feel there is no
acceptable reference method currently available to which the
results of the new method can
CLINICALCHEMISTRY, Vol. 19, No. 10, 1973 1177
be validly compared. Some information, however, can be ascertained
from the comparative data. The TCA:biuret method of Foster et al.
(19) is widely
used. It should be realized that in addition to the presence of
proteins in urine that do not precipitate in TCA (25-28),
efficiency of protein precipitation decreases with decreasing
protein concentrations and increasing heterogeneity of the
biological fluid, ac- cording to the basic principles of
precipitation analy- sis (29, 30). This accounts for falsely low
results for urines with low protein concentrations. Low urinary
protein concentrations are encountered when renal- transplant
patients are monitored as an index of im- munological rejection
(31). Falsely high results ob- tained for urines with high protein
concentrations are explained by co-precipitation of chromogenic
substances (29, 30, 32). The gel filtration:biuret method (13)
suffers from a mild positive bias be- cause chromogenic substances
can be adsorbed to protein and are thereby excluded from the gel
and are able to contribute to the analysis. This positive bias is
similar to the co-precipitation bias of the TCA:biuret method.
Kjeldahl analysis gives valid re- sults only for 100% pure protein
samples. No at- tempt to correct for nonprotein nitrogen was made
in this study, resulting in a large positive bias.
General agreement of results determined by the different biuret
methods is demonstrated (Figures 6 and 7), but we believe the most
valid comparison among methods is between the proposed biuret:DTC
method and the semi-quantitative sulfosalicylic acid screening
test. The proposed method agreed more consistently with the
sulfosalicylic screening test than did the other methods (Table
4).
For a discussion of statistical investigation of er- rors
encountered in method-comparison studies, the reader is referred to
a recent article by Westgard and Hunt (33). Comparative statistics
and scatter di- agrams show that there was less variability for the
methods in which gel filtration is used than for the method in
which protein precipitation is used. The large constant difference
between the results of the proposed method and those of the
TCA:biuret meth- od (33 mg/dl) was expected, owing to inherent dif-
ferences in methodologies. There was little constant difference (1
mg/dl) between the methods in which gel filtration is used.
Proportional difference was greater with the TCA:biuret method
(11%) than with the gel filtration:biuret method (8%). Inspection
of the bias statistics shows that protein determinations by the
proposed method are generally higher than by the TCA:biuret method,
but generally lower than by the gel filtration:biuret method.
Analytical biases of methods in which protein is precipitated and
the problem of binding of interferences by protein have been
discussed.
In principle, only random error cannot be elimi- nated. Systematic
errors, however, can be reduced by improved methodology-a
specificity problem is indicated by a large constant difference. We
believe that, of methods currently available, our method is
the most specific for the peptide backbone chain of proteins.
Interferences
Interference from urinary pigments is virtually eliminated by the
two gel filtration steps and by the high absorptivity of copper
diethyldithiocarbamate complex (a = 15000). In the analysis of
specimens containing hemoglobin, the hemoglobin was present in the
initial gel effluent, but after treatment with biuret reagent,
alkaline hematin was removed by the second gel filtration.
Bilirubin not bound to protein was removed from specimens
containing bile by the initial gel filtration. After treatment with
biuret re- agent, the remaining bilirubin was removed by the second
gel filtration. The radiographic contrast me- dium that we checked
interferes with the biuret reaction (2) and also unpredictably
affects results of the proposed modified biuret method. Freedom
from interferences generally encountered in the clinical chemistry
laboratory, however, is expected because substances can interfere
only if they bind to protein and simultaneously chelate copper.
This is expected to be the case with “Meglumine” (meglumine diatri-
zoate).
Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate reagent is not completely specific
for copper. Cations of iron, co- balt, cadmium, nickel, and bismuth
are potential sources of interference (34). Masking by
ethylenedi-
amine tetraacetate or citrate is not necessary be- cause the two
gel filtration steps completely elimi- nate inorganic substances
not bound to protein. Therefore only interfering cations bound to
protein can result in analytical errors. Less than one atom of
copper per molecule is usually attached to human serum albumin
(22). Amounts of other divalent Ca- tions found are analytically
insignificant. Calcula- tions from copper-binding data show that
102 atoms of copper are bound to one molecule of HSA in the course
of the biuret reaction. Ceruloplasmin is rarely found in urine,
owing to its high molecular weight and inability to pass the
glomerular membrane. The contribution possible by transferrin is
also negligible because of its low relative concentration and
because it binds only two atoms of ferric iron per molecule.
Interference by native copper and iron usually found in urine is
therefore negligible.
One should be aware that falsely elevated results can occur in rare
cases of physiological disturbance of copper metabolism, for
example, in Wilson’s dis- ease. Moderate increase in urinary copper
excretion also can occur in cirrhosis of the liver, particularly of
the biliary type. Under standard dietary conditions, copper
excretion fluctuates only slightly daily uri- nary copper excretion
rarely exceeding 0.1 mg per day (35).
Amount of Copper Bound to Protein
It is important that the copper concentration of
the biuret reagent not be excessively high because secondary
binding occurs (24, 36). Sodium hydroxide
1178 CLINICAL CHEMISTRY, Vol.19,No. 10,1973
concentration also must be carefully regulated. Base concentration
should be at least 0.1 mol/liter, so that conformational changes of
proteins from native states to random coils occur rapidly
(3?).
In summary, the results of total protein assay by the proposed
biuret:DTC method are not expected to be identical to those
obtained by other methods, be- cause only the peptide chain
backbone contributes to the analysis. Nonprotein substances found
in the heterogeneous protein species contribute to dry weight
analysis thereby affecting Kjeldahl factors and biuret
coefficients. A set of copper-binding fac- tors for the different
protein species, compared to dry weight analysis of pure samples,
needs to be es- tablished.
The immediate value of the present method is sen- sitivity without
sacrifice of specificity for quantita- tive analysis of total
protein in biological fluids such as serum, cerebrospinal fluid,
and urine, and for monitoring enzyme-purification steps.
This research was supported in parts by state-appropriated funds to
the College of Graduate Studies and by the Trust Fund of the
Department of Clinical Pathology of the Medical University of South
Carolina, and by NIH GRS Grant No. 5S01 RR5420.
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