The Allotyping of Complement Components in Whole Serum by Iso-Electric Focusing in Gel followed by Specific Haemolytic Assay

Abstract

Specific in gel hemolytic assays previously described by this laboratory have been used to detect complement components after the separation of the proteins of whole serum by isoelectric focusing. Characteristic band patterns for C4, C2, C5, C6, C7, and factors B and D have so far been seen after isoelectric focusing in thin polyacrylamide gel slabs. The genetic polymorphism in Factor B is easily demonstrated by this method and a hitherto undescribed allele has been found. A common polymorphism with a uniform distribution in different populations has been found for C6. Not less than four “rare” C6 alleles have been found in addition to the two common ones. Furthermore, in conjunction with Dr. C. A. Alper, a family has been shown to carry a “silent” C6 allele. It has not so far been possible to establish linkage between the C6 gene and other gentic markers. These include HL-A, red cell groups, C3 polymorphism, and C1̄-inhibitor deficiency.