Studies on the use of isoelectric focusing as a method of phenotyping erythrocyte acid phosphatase

The technique of isoelectric focusing (IEF) in ultra-thin polyacrylamide gels as a method of phenotyping erythrocyte acid phosphatase (EAP) has been applied to a large number of red cell lysates and dried bloodstains. This paper presents the results of this study and discusses some features of the IEF patterns and problems with their interpretation. The IEF patterns of several rare EAP phenotypes are also described. These studies have confirmed that IEF is more sensitive than starch gel electrophoresis as a method of phenotyping EAP in dried bloodstains.