The Characterization of Hemoglobin Manitoba or α₂102(G9)Ser→Argβ₂ and Hemoglobin Contaldo or α₂103(G10)HIS→ARGβ₂ By High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

Hb Contaldo with a HIS→ARG substitution at position 103(G10) of the α chain is a newly discovered unstable Hb variant observed in an Italian child. Its instability is probably due to the disruption of the hydrogen bond between α103(G10)His and β108(G10)Asn. The structural variation in the core segment was determined through analysis of tryptic peptides from digests of the α^x and oxidized α^x (with performic acid) chains, which were separated by HPLC. Similar analyses were made for the α^X chain of the rare Hb Manitoba in which α102(G9) Ser is replaced by Arg. This variant was observed for the first time in an Italian patient, and was also studied in a member of a previously described Canadian family.