The reaction between hemoglobin α-subunit and haptoglobin

Abstract
The interaction between human Hb .alpha.-subunit and porcine haptoglobin [Hp] was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration chromatography, sedimentation through excess .alpha.-subunit and gel filtration in an .alpha.-subunit-containing medium. No interaction was detected by the 1st 2 methods indicating dissociation of the complex during the application of these separation techniques. The latter 2 methods, in which the complex is studied in a medium of excess subunits, showed that Hb became saturated with the binding of 2 .alpha.-subunits.