Question

Thalassemic patients produce excess alpha or beta subunits of haemoglobin leading to impaired oxygen-binding capacity by their erythrocytes. How can it be determined as to which subunit is produced in excess? 

Answer 1

Normal and thallasaemic erythrocytes obtained and their lysates analysed Protein fingerprinting/ 2-D gel electrophoresis/ MALDI/ SDS-PAGE can identify if alpha or beta chain is absent

Protein fingerprinting: 

• Trypsin digestion of Purified haemoglobin 

• Paper electrophoresis followed by paper chromatography.

• Spray with ninhydrin.