The biochemical and genetic basis for the microheterogeneity of human R-type vitamin B12 binding proteins.

R-type vitamin B12 binding proteins (R proteins) from human granulocytes, erythrocytes, plasma, and other body fluids were characterized by isoprotein banding patterns on autoradiograms after resolution via thin-layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel electrophoresis. R proteins obtained from various tissue sources in a given individual show tissue-specific electrophoretic patterns. The desialated R proteins obtained following in vitro treatment with neuraminidase are, however, the same for any given individual and do not show tissue specificity. The differences seen in native R proteins (i.e., transcobalamin I, III, and others) obtained from different tissues are due to variations only in the sialic acid content. Granulocytes from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) contain both TC I and TC III, and these R proteins can be released in vitro by lithium stimulation. Normal granulocytes contain only TC III. Differences in desialated R proteins from individual to individual are due to a genetic polymorphism controlled by a single genetic locus (designated TCR) with two alleles, 1 and 2, which are found to be codominantly expressed in heterozygous individuals. The allelic variants of the desialated R proteins found in different blood cells and body fluids are controlled by only one genetic locus.