Elliptocytosis associated with an abnormal alpha glycophorin

A case of elliptocytosis associated with an undescribed abnormal alpha glycophorin (alpha GP) is reported. Using immunoblotting techniques, a clear-cut minor band 6' was detected emerging just behind the monomer of delta GP (band 6) when probed with anti-alpha GP antiserum. It also reacted with anti-peptide C antiserum, suggesting that this new band with a molecular weight of 24 K is related to the structural alteration of alpha GP and not delta GP. The erythrocyte membrane proteins of the patient exhibited a quite normal pattern, with a normal alpha spectrin/beta spectrin ratio, but the reaction with anti-protein 4.1 serum confirmed the increase in proteolytic susceptibility of her protein 4.1. The results of DNA mapping implied that the abnormality may be due to a short deletion of the heterozygote. The significance of deviation involving the alpha GP and protein 4.1 to the elliptocytic change of erythrocyte shape is briefly discussed.