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Detection of a novel variant human hemoglobin by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Heinz Troxler1, Frank Neuheiser, Peter Kleinert
1Division of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Division of Nephrology, Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, Zurich, CH-8032, Switzerland. heinz.troxler@kispi.unizh.ch
Abstract:
A novel hemoglobin variant was detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Hb Zurich-Hottingen is characterized by an Asn --> Ser replacement in the alpha-chain at position 9 as confirmed by DNA analysis. This hemoglobin variant is silent in isoelectric focusing, reversed-phase chromatography, and cation-exchange chromatography. The mutant alpha-chain was detectable only with electrospray mass spectrometry by its mass shift of -27 Da. The carrier was found to be heterozygous for the new hemoglobin variant. These results illustrate the power of ESI mass spectrometry for hemoglobin analysis.