Red cell PGM1 (phosphoglucomutase) phenotyping by isoelectric focussing and starch gel electrophoresis in cases of disputed paternity in the United Kingdom. An evaluation of the results obtained in 95 cases.

Using two techniques for red cell PGM1 (phosphoglucomutase) phenotyping, namely starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focussing, a parallel study has been carried out in 95 paternity cases. The results again confirm the genetic basis for the extended polymorphism revealed by isoelectric focussing. Fifteen men were excluded from paternity on the basis of isoelectric focussing compared with seven excluded by starch gel electrophoresis. This was found to be in good agreement with the predicted increase in exclusion rate that the isoelectric focussing technique for red cell PGM1 provides.