Albumin I.M.V.S.: a variant detected by a Bromcresol Green dye binding method

A unique variant of human albumin was discovered in a family following routine multiple biochemical analysis. Their sera demonstrated increased Bromcresol Green (BCG) dye binding under certain reaction conditions (excess amounts of the detergent Pegosperse in the presence of Merthiolate). This effect was also seen with a structurally similar dye, Bromcresol Purple (BCP). The variant sera also showed an altered pattern of BCG dye binding (in the presence of Merthiolate and excess Pegosperse) compared to normal sera when the temperature or the pH of the dye reagent was changed. Decreased binding of the dye 2-(4'-hydroxybenzeneazo)benzoic acid (HABA) was also noted. Similar findings were observed in six other patients over a period of 21 months. Column chromatography of the variant sera on a DEAE-Sepharose column separated the albumin into two fractions, one showing normal dye binding properties, the other showing the more extreme pattern of dye binding seen for the whole variant serum.