Heterogeneity of the Silent Gene for Plasma Cholinesterase

Abstract

Rocket immuno-electrophoresis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to estimate the amount of cholinesterase present in 29 apparent silent homozygotes. 26 of these samples were segregated into four groups representing zero, very low, low and high levels of immunoreactive protein. These groups may represent the genotypes E1sE1s, E1sE1t, E1tE1t and a new genotype E1xE1x, respectively. The possible genotypes of the remaining 3 individuals are discussed.