The use of concanavalin A crossed immuno-affinoelectrophoresis to detect hormone-associated variations in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein.

alpha 1-Acid glycoprotein produces three peaks on crossed immuno-affinoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A in the first dimension, which is indicative of a degree of heterogeneity in the carbohydrate portion of this plasma glycoprotein. A different pattern, however, showing relatively less concanavalin A-binding material, is found in association with and after an increase in female sex hormone levels. Our observations strongly suggest a prolonged hormonal effect on the carbohydrate composition of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, which may alter the metabolism or the function of the protein.