A New Hemoglobin with High Oxygen Affinity-Hemoglobin Bunbury: α2β2[94 (Fg1) Asp→ Asn]

Abstract
Hb Bunbury was detected in an Italian woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, following detection of an abnormal Hb by electrophoresis. The variant form accounted for 38% of the total Hb and migrated on cellulose acetate electrophoresis between HbS and HbA. Structural analysis demonstrated a new substitution in the .beta. chain, .beta.94 Asp .fwdarw. Asn. Hb Bunbury is stable to both test and isopropanol denaturation. This variant shows an increase in O2 affinity and a reduced Bohr effect. Heterozygosity for Hb Bunbury produces no clinical symptoms or compensatory erythrocytosis.