A new method for fast haptoglobin phenotyping and hemoglobin binding capacity calculation based on capillary zone electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for haptoglobin (Hp) phenotyping in hemoglobin (Hb) supplemented serum. The method allows a comp lete resolution of the major haptoglobin phenotypes Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, and Hp 2-2 based on the difference in charge-to-mass ratio of their Hb-Hp complexe s. Identification of these phenotypes was achieved by their significant dif ferences in migration times and their marked difference in electrophoretic pattern. Our method showed full agreement with starch gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, following neuraminidase treatment of the serum, the Hp subtype s Hp1-1FF, FS and SS could be resolved, based on the same criteria as the p henotyping. The new electrophoretic method allowed typing of the rare pheno types Hp 2-1 modified (Hp 2-1M) and Hp Johnson. The calculated hemoglobin b inding capacity of serum correlates well with the nephelometrically determi ned haptoglobin concentration. The new method for typing haptoglobin gives prospectives for fast haptoglobin typing and Hp 1-1 subtyping.