Micropreparative electrophoresis of globin chains on cellulose acetate film in structural identification of abnormal human hemoglobins

A simple and rapid micropreparative method for isolating 5 to 30 nmol of globin chain, followed by structural identification of abnormal human hemoglobins, is described. The method is based on the electrophoretic separation of globins on ordinary Cellogel films under denaturating conditions with subsequent cutting out of the protein zones and solubilization of Cellogel and the electrophoretic buffer components in a specially selected solvent in which the globin chain undergoes quantitative precipitation. The method makes it possible to simplify and speed up the structural identification of commonly occurring abnormal hemoglobins. The advantages and limitations of the method are discussed along with its potential uses in structural protein chemistry.