Inheritance of human α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) variants

Although variants of sialic acid-free alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein have been described in human beings, the mode of inheritance of these types has not been reported previously. With the use of a new technique of immunofixation after agarose gel electrophoresis of neuraminidase-treated whole serum, the present study demonstrates that the types of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein variants in family members are consistent with inheritance as autosomal traits with codominant expression. Gene frequencies have been determined for several ethnic groups. Of a total of 11 maternal-cord serum pairs, seven were discordant types, indicating that the fetus synthesizes alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein and confirming a previous report that there is no significant transplacental passage of this protein.