Hemoglobin British Columbia (alpha2beta2 101(G3)Glu replaced by Lys). A new variant with high oxygen affinity

Hemoglobin British Columbia was found in an East Indian living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its structure was demonstrated to be alpha2beta2 101(G3)Glu replaced by Lys. It has a significant increase in oxygen affinity, decrease in heme-heme interaction, but normal Bohr effect. Unlike Hb Rush (beta101 Glu replaced by Glu), it is as stable as Hb A to heat and alcohol denaturation. By both cellulose acetate electrophoresis and chromatography the undissociated Hb British Columbia moves between Hb S and Hb A rather than behaving like Hb C. However, the dissociated abnormal beta chain behaves like beta C. The substitution is at the alpha2beta2 contact region. Except for a mild erythrocytosis, the propositus has normal hematological findings.