Comparison of the PI patterns of α₁-_-antitrypsin on acid starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing

Abstract

An acid starch gel electrophoresis procedure was developed for recognition of PI M subtypes of α,_-antitrypsin, proving that their electrophoretic mobilities correspond to their relative isoelectric points on isoelectric focusing. From transfer experiments, it could be concluded that the PI patterns obtained after acid starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing are formed by identical molecular populations. These findings justify the replacement of acid starch gel electrophoresis by isoelectric focusing as the method of choice for PI typing, including the assignment of new PI variants.

Key Words:

• α₁-_-antitrypsin
• genetic variants
• nomenclature
• polymorphism
• protease inhibitor
• techniques