Resolution of serum aluminum-binding proteins by size-exclusion chromatography: identification of a new carrier of aluminum in human serum.

We have examined the use of TSK-GEL HW 55S for determining the distribution of aluminum in human serum by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). In comparison to other SEC matrices, this material has less affinity for ionized aluminum and separates serum proteins and their aluminum complexes with greater resolution. This enabled the identification of a previously unknown protein carrier, provisionally called albindin, that binds aluminum with great stability. Albindin appears to be distinct from the previously described aluminum carriers albumin and transferrin and may be important in the pathogenesis of disease secondary to hyperaluminemia.