Composition of ‘ y - Chains in the Hemolysates of an Umbilical Cord Blood and Erythropoietic Bursts From Carriers for Hemoglobin

By using a globin isoelectric focusing technique. we measured the levels of G’y. Malta-I G’y, and ky globin chains in the hemolysates of an umbilical cord blood of a carrier for hemoglobin F Malta-I (“yl 1 7 HisArg). a G’y variant. Malta-I G’y focused slightly cathodal to $-chains. Malta-I G’y. normal G’y. and ky chains comprised 21.8%. 57.5%. and 20.7% of the total ‘y-chains, respectively. Thus. we documented for the first time the reduced level of mutant G y chain relative to normal G’y chain in a hemoglobinopathy of fetal hemoglobin. We then analyzed the levels of the biosynthetic rates of the ‘y-chains in the erythropoietic bursts derived from an adult carrier of the same family using a methylcellulose clonal cell culture method. The relative proportions of Malta-I G’y. normal G’y. and Ay chains in the total fly-chains were 22.1 %. 28.5%. and 49.4%. respectively. The ratio (0.78) of Malta-I G’y/normal G’y in the synthesized “y-chains of the adult carrier was