Serum Protein Binding of Myoglobin, Hemoglobin and Hematin

Abstract

Using paper and starch-gel electrophoresis we have demonstrated binding of hemoglobin, myoglobin and hematin by human serum protein which is not a haptoglobin. This protein was present in all sera tested except that from two patients with hemolytic anemia and was also present in serum genetically deficient in haptoglobin. The binding capacity of this protein is low and contributes only slightly to the total hemoglobin binding capacity of normal serum. However, it may represent most or all of the binding in sera from patients with hemolytic disease.