The use of anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography columns for the analysis of plasma proteins has been investigated. Mono Q and Polyanion SI were used as anion-exchangers. Several factors, including solvent composition, pH, flow-rate, sodium chloride linear concentration gradient and sample loading capacity, were examined for their effects on the resolution of protein standards and pooled human plasma (PHP). PHP was separated into ten or more protein fractions by a Mono Q column (50 X 5 mm I.D., flow-rate 2 ml/min) within 10 min. Components analysis of each fraction was performed using immunochemical methods and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography. The Mono Q column was applied to the analysis of IgG myeloma and other patient plasma samples.