[Analysis of abnormal erythrocyte proteins and the etiological relation to hemolytic anemia]

Analytical procedures and diagnostic methods on abnormal proteins associated with hemolytic anemia are reviewed. Hemoglobin variants and enzymopathies are disorders of soluble proteins in erythrocytes. Electrophoretic mobilities and enzyme assay are clinically most useful to detect the disorders. Unique methods have been devised for unstable hemoglobins. Abnormal skeletal proteins are responsible for some spherocytosis and related diseases. Disorder of proteins which have penetrated into the membrane may cause similar hemolysis. Complement regulatory proteins on the surface of membrane are defective in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Flow-cytometric analysis is convenient for disclosing clonal abnormal erythrocytes. Antibodies are investigated after elution. Ultimate characterization for the erythrocyte proteins are performed on biochemical approaches, such as amino acid analysis by HPLC and determination of base sequences of cDNA.