An Improved Method for the Quantitation of A2 Hemoglobin Utilizing Cellulose Acetate Electrophoresis and Densitometry

An improved method of A2 quantitation by cellulose acetate electrophoresis is described. Densitometry is performed on uncleared membranes. The height of the peak obtained for the A2 band is compared with a standard curve derived from peaks obtained by serial dilutions of hemoglobin. Normal A2 hemoglobin as measured by this method is 2.55% ± 0.60 (2 S.D.). Twenty patient samples were run in parallel with a column chromatographic method. Eight samples were found to contain elevated A2 levels by the column method. The same eight samples were correctly identified by the electrophoretic technic.