Distribution of haptoglobin phenotypes in a Korean population, using the semi-automated PhastSystem

We have established a new phenotyping method for haptoglobin, based on sodi um dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the PhastSyste m (Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden), followed by immunoblotting for dete ction. We measured haptoglobin concentrations and determined the haptoglobi n phenotypes of 316 healthy Koreans using this method: 31 (9.8%) were of Hp 1-1 type, 140 (44.3%) of Hp 2-1 type and 145 (45.9%) of Hp 2-2 type. The h aptoglobin allele frequencies were calculated to be 0.32 for Hp(1) and 0.68 for Hp(2). We were able to visualize up to 12 bands from the human Hp 2-2 polymeric series, with molecular weights in the range 171.9 x 10(3) to 802. 2 x 10(3). The reference range of serum haptoglobin concentrations obtained by the IFCC (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry) standard meth od was 0.27-2.14 g/L. The serum haptoglobin concentration in Koreans was si milar to that of Caucasians, but the Hp(1) allele frequency was lower in Ko reans. Our method could be used in clinical laboratories as a simple and pr actical method of haptoglobin phenotyping. In addition, the Hp 2-2 polymeri c series could be used as high molecular weight standards.