Arrangements of alpha-globin gene cluster in Taiwan.
In a gene mapping study on 217 newborn babies in Taiwan with alpha- and zeta-globin probes, we have observed 4 cases (1.84%) of alpha-thalassemia-2 heterozygotes (zeta zeta-alpha/zeta zeta alpha alpha) without increased levels of hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's in the cord blood. Eleven subjects (5.07%) were found to have the South East Asian alpha-thalassemia-1 haplotype (zeta zeta--SEA/zeta zeta alpha alpha) with increased Hb Bart's levels ranging from 2.2 to 9%. One case, with Hb Bart's level of 14% in the cord blood, was found to have the genotype of zeta zeta--SEA/zeta zeta alpha alpha T (0.46%). Four heterozygotes (1.84%) were found with the triple alpha gene anti-rightward arrangement (zeta zeta alpha alpha alpha 3.7/zeta zeta alpha alpha). Twenty-one heterozygotes (9.68%) were found to have the triple zeta-globin gene arrangement (zeta zeta zeta alpha alpha/zeta zeta alpha alpha). A new triple zeta-globin gene variant with a BamHI polymorphism was also observed in this study.
Peng
H W
HW
Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Choo
K B
KB
Ho
C H
CH
Yen
M S
MS
Liung
W Y
WY
Lin
C K
CK
Yang
Z L
ZL
Ng
H T
HT
Ching
K N
KN
Han
S H
SH
D044466:Asian People; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D013624:Taiwan; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics*
D005914:Globins