Globin chain electrophoresis: a new approach to the determination of the (G)γ/(A)γ ratio in fetal haemoglobin and to studies of globin synthesis

Separation of globin chains by electrophoresis provides a simple and rapid method for the determination of the (G)γ/(A)γ ration in human fetal haemoglobin, and of biosynthetic rates of the globin chains. Whole haemolysates were analysed by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in urea, acetic acid and Triton X-100. Electrophoresis of haemolysates from newborn infants led to four bands: (A)γ, (G)γ, β and α. The identity of these bands was indicated by examination of haemoglobins of known globin chain composition. In 15 samples, the % (G)γ was similar by Triton gels and by amino acid analysis of the γCB-3 peptide. Some mutant globin chains were also separable with the electrophoretic technique. Triton gel electrophoresis provides rapid analysis of very small amounts of haemoglobin, and permits examination of globin chain composition as well as globin synthetic ratios.