Genetic Control of Two Pre-albumins in Pigs.

HREE loci controlling the synthesis of serum proteins in the pig have been Tidentified to date. KRISTJANSSON ( 1960a, b) has identified two alleles controlling the synthesis of transferrins in the pig and has demonstrated (1961) three alleles involved in the synthesis of pig haptoglobins. ASHTON (1960) has described three Yhread protein” phenotypes and on the basis of preliminary mating data has suggested that two alleles are involved in determining these phenotypes. In the same paper, ASHTON reports three P-globulin phenotypes which appear to be the same as the transferrin types described by KRISTJANSSON. KING (1961, personal communication) has identified a third transferrin allele and a fourth haptoglobin allele. Serum protein polymorphisms in several species have been reviewed by OGDEN (1961). Plasma protein polymorphisms in man have been reviewed by HARRIS ( 1961 ) , In the course of starch gel electrophoresis technique experiments, we have observed differences between individuals with respect to protein fractions (prealbumins) which migrate in advance of the serum albumin fraction. This report describes a starch gel electrophoresis procedure which yields discrete separation of pre-albumins, transferrins and haptoglobins in pig serum, and presents evidence concerning the genetic mechanism underlying the prealbumin polymorphism which has been observed.