In standard serum protein electrophoresis, what is the pattern of major serum protein migration from fastest to slowest?

• A. Albumin, gamma, beta, alpha 1, alpha 2
• B. Albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, gamma
• C. Albumin, alpha 2, alpha 1, beta, gamma
• D. Albumin, beta, gamma, alpha 1, alpha 2

Answer: (B)

Proteins separate in serum protein electrophoresis primarily by charge and size, so the fastest movers are the smallest, most highly charged proteins, with slower ones following. Albumin, being small and highly charged under the buffer conditions, travels the farthest toward the electrode, marking the fastest move. Next come the alpha-1 globulins, then the slightly larger alpha-2 globulins, followed by the beta globulins, and finally the gamma globulins, which migrate the slowest due to their size and charge characteristics. This yields the pattern: albumin first, then alpha-1, then alpha-2, then beta, and gamma last.