ArticleBusby WH, Travis JC.
Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1978;60(4):389-96.
1. Artiodactyla haptoglobins (Hps), goat, sheep and cattle (family Bovidae), and pig (family Suidae) were structurally characterized. 2. The polymeric Hp systems of goat, sheep and cattle were similar to the polymeric human Hp system, while the monomeric system of pig was more comparable to the monomeric human form. 3. All members of the Artiodactyla (family Bovidae) examined exhibited a large polypeptide subunit, comparable to that of the beta subunit of human Hp. 4. In addition, a small subunit, similar in molecular weight to the human alpha 2 subunit, was demonstrated. Pig Hp was shown to have two subunits, one slightly larger than the human beta subunit and the other intermediate in size to the human alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits. 5. Immunoelectrophoretic and immunodiffusion studies indicated complete cross reactivity among the polymeric Artiodactyla Hps. 6. The polymeric Hps do not, however, cross react with the monomeric pig Hp.