Starch Block Electrophoretic Studies of Human Hemoglobin Solutions I. Technic and Results in the Normal Adult

1. Erythrocyte hemolysates from hematologically normal, adult individuals were studied by means of starch block electrophoresis.

2. The electrophoretic patterns obtained indicated the presence, in addition to the main component of A hemoglobin A₁, of three other hemoglobin fractions designated as A₂, A₃ and A₄, A₂ and A₄ move slower, while A₃ moves faster in alkaline buffer. These components were isolated by elution from the starch after separation by electrophoresis.

3. The concentrations of the various fractions in the hemolysates were estimated from a sample of normal individuals investigated.

4. In our experiments, electrophoretic patterns obtained on starch that has been re-used as a supportive medium for electrophoresis were somewhat different but comparable to those obtained on starch that was used for the first time as a supportive medium; these differences are discussed.

5. Some characterizations of the isolated components are made.