A case of hemoglobin M Boston. New data about valency hybrids brought by isoelectrofocusing study.

In Hemoglobins M, as the result of a mutation theheme iron of the abnormal chain is atabilized in an oxidized form unable to carry oxygen. In this paper, we discuss the case of hemoglobin M Boston characterizing this abnormal hemoglobin as valency hybrid by spectral studies and utilising this mutant as a marker, in isoelectricfocusing, we bring the arguments that the two intermediary bands of oxidation correspond to alpha2+beta2+2 and alpha2+2beta2+3 We also indicate that the abnormal spectrum of Hb M interferes with the estimation of methemoglobin, giving erroneous values. We have shown that isoelectric focusing and subsequent scanning give a definite idea about the amount of abnormal chain present.