Haemoglobin alpha A

Further studies on the isolation and properties of alpha-chain sub-units of haemoglobin

1. alpha(A)-Chain sub-units have been isolated from neutral haemolysates containing certain unstable beta-chain haemoglobin variants. They are identical, in electrophoretic properties, tryptic peptide analyses and their ability to recombine with Hb-beta(A) (4) at neutral pH, with the alpha(A)-chain sub-units isolated from Hb-A at acid pH. Abnormal alpha(G)-chain sub-units have been prepared from haemolysates containing the alpha-chain variant Hb-G. 2. alpha(A)-Chain sub-units prepared by either method are eluted from Sephadex at low haemoglobin concentration as monomer sub-units. The elution volume, sedimentation coefficient and apparent molecular weight are, however, concentration-dependent, suggesting an equilibrium between monomers and higher polymers with the former as the predominant species. Elevated temperatures cause the alpha(A)-chain sub-unit to aggregate and denature. 3. The product of the reaction between the alpha(A)-chain sub-unit and Hb-beta(A) (4) has been characterized as Hb-A. Only Hb-A and Hb-G can be detected as the products when a mixture of alpha(A)- and alpha(G)-chain sub-units reacts with Hb-beta(A) (4). The absence of the species alpha(A)alpha(G)beta(A) (2) can be explained in terms of the rapid equilibrium between whole and half haemoglobin molecules and the reassortment of alphabeta sub-units during the separation process.

Hemoglobin Gun Hill: deletion of five amino acid residues and impaired heme-globin binding

Hemoglobin Gun Hill, a new variant of adult hemoglobin, was found in a Caucasian and one of his three daughters. The abnormal hemoglobin had only half of the expected number of heme groups. Five amino acid residues appeared to be missing from the beta-globin chains. These residues occur in linear sequence in normal beta-chains in a region involved in heme-globin binding. A deletion of five amino acids in the beta-chains of hemoglobin Gun Hill is postulated. The most likely mechanism for the origin of such a hemoglobin variant would appear to be unequal crossing-over during meiosis.

Alpha-Chain of Human Hemoglobin: Occurrence in vivo

A minor hemoglobin component, apparently representing uncombined alpha-chains has been detected in the hemolysates of persons with inherited beta-chain deficiency of moderate or severe degree. This finding supports the hypothesis that there is independent control of the synthesis of alpha-chains.