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Title: Amino acid substitutions in inherited albumin variants from Amerindian and Japanese populations

Journal Article · · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

The authors report an effort to determine the basis for the altered migration of seven inherited albumin variants detected by one-dimensional electrophoresis in population surveys involving tribal Amerindians and Japanese children. An amino acid substitution has thus far been determined for four of the variants. The randomness in the albumin polypeptide of these and the other sixteen independently ascertained amino acid substitutions of albumin and proalbumin thus far established was analyzed; the clustering of eight of these at two positions in the six-amino acid propeptide sequence seems noteworthy. By comparison with other proteins studied by electrophoresis, albumin exhibits average variability. It is a paradox that individuals who, for genetic reasons, lack albumin exhibit no obvious ill effects; yet, electrophoretic variants of albumin are no more numerous than are variants of proteins, the absence of which results in severe disease.

Research Organization:
Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-82ER60089
OSTI ID:
6651509
Journal Information:
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 84:22
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English