The demonstration of asymmetric hemoglobin hybrids by polyacrylamide electrophoresis.

A simpler, more economical technique than previously reported, that of conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis alone, is described for the detection of asymmetric hemoglobin hybrids of the forms alphaXalphaYbeta2 and alpha2betaXbetaY when bloods from individuals with alpha and beta chain variants were examined. The presence of alpha chain variant hybrids, never before reported, is further evidence that hybrid formation is a more widespread phenomenon than has previously been thought of. Hybrids were found in artificial mixtures of hemoglobins and more importantly, are also reported here for the first time in bloods of individuals heterozygous for hemoglobin variants. These hybrid tetramers were as stable as the parent hemoglobins when examined under anaerobic conditions. The involvement of HbF in the formation of hybrids of the type alpha2betagamma is reported, and an analysis of the possible role of these as well as alpha2betaAbetaS hybrids in the sickling process is presented.