Analysis in gingival crevicular fluid of two oligopeptides derived from human hemoglobin β‐chain

HPLC on a reversed phase column, amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry were used to determine the structure of two human gingival crevicular exudate oligopeptides (Leu-Thr-Pro-Glu-Glu-Lys-Ser-Ala-Val-Thr-Ala-Leu and Leu-Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr-Gln-Arg-Phe) which were shown to have been derived from the β-chain of hemoglobin. These sequences may simply represent two degradation products of the β-chain. However, their preservation in an exudate characterized by active peptidolysis may also prompt the question about their possible more specific role.