Properties of residual catalase in the erythrocytes of Japanese-type acatalasemia.

In Japanese-type acatalasemia erythrocytes, the presence and properties of residual catalase were determined and compared with those of normal erythrocyte catalase. Residual catalase activity was proved by titration, active staining after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and measurement of oxygen evolution. Residual catalase protein, demonstrated by double immunodiffusion, was similar to that of normal catalase. The properties of residual catalase activity were identical with those of normal catalase activity. It occurred as three fractions of equal specific activity by DEAE column chromatography. These observations suggest that Japanese-type acatalasemia contains residual catalase with properties similar to those of normal catalase.