Reliable phenotyping of esterase D by low voltage isoelectric focusing: Evidence for the new variant ESD Yamaguchi

Abstract

AbstractLow voltage isoelectric focusing (IEF) for the classification of esterase D (ESD) has been developed. This new phenotyping method is based on non‐equilibrium IEF. The obtained patterns might be isotachophoretic because the ESD bands were concentrated sharply and the values of their isoelectric point (pI) were somewhat higher than those found by equilibrium IEF. The method proved to be fast, easy and reliable for the differentiation of the six phenotypes determined by three codominant alleles, ESD*1, ESD*2 and ESD*7. The distribution of ESD phenotypes in Western Japan has been investigated and a new rare variant, ESD Yamaguchi (ESD Y), characterized by a slightly cathodal mobility to ESD 2, could be identified. The frequencies for the three alleles ESD*1, ESD*2 and ESD*7 were 0.600, 0.389 and 0.011, respectively.