Red blood cell acid phosphatase: ambiguity in phenotype and activity estimations in the proof of the "single allele" states.

A population sample of sick children was analyzed for the phenotypes and enzymatic activity of the erythrocyte acid phosphatase. These data were statistically examined for the reliability with which the enzymatic activity of a given phenotype, supposed to be derived from a single allele in the phosphatase gene locus, may be used as a decisive criterion in distinguishing such an event from the normal states with the fully functioning pair of alleles. Due to the overlapping of the statistical distribution curves of the normal and defective kins os isozymes, dependent on the relation of x and s, ranges of activity are shown where the measured enzymic activity is not conclusive for the judgement on the number of acting alleles, on the chosen probability level. On the same basis a time saving screening system is proposed for the inteded search for the single-allele states of the phosphatase isozymes; some consequences for the paternity tests with the RBC phosphatase are also mentioned.