Hemoglobin A2 quantification by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) comprises about 2.2% of the total hemoglobin in the erythrocytes. The separation and quantitation of this minor hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an arginine Tris buffer is described. Some of the variables affecting the accuracy and precision of HbA2 quantification are investigated. Furthermore, the quantification of this hemoglobin by CE is compared to that of a microcolumn chromatography method. The CE method is better suited than the microcolumn method for measuring HbA2 in the sickle cell trait.