The use of globin chain electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels for the quantitation of the G gamma to A gamma ratio in fetal hemoglobin.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in the presence of urea, acid, and Triton X-100 was used for determination of the G gamma to A gamma ratio in human Hb F. The data compared most favourable with results obtained by a HPLC procedure and by a chemical procedure. Moreover, its accuracy and reproducibility was determined. The presence of Hb A2 in a sample with Hb F level below 10% interferes with the determination because of the nearly identical electrophoretic mobilities of the delta and G gamma chains. Thus, the removal of Hb A2 is required. Samples free fo Hb A2 but with a Hb F level as low as 2% can be analyzed with an accuracy of about 5%. The PAGE method has been applied to the Hb F of 63 subjects with beta thalassemia and related conditions, and the results of these analyses are included in this communication.