[Molecular characterization of heterozygous beta-thalassemia in Lanzarote, Spain].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the molecular defects of heterozygous beta thalassaemia and to ascertain their distribution in Lanzarote.


METHODS
Molecular characterization was achieved by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR LightCycler, Roche), PCR-ARMS (PCR-amplification reaction mutations system) and DNA sequencing on an automated DNA sequencer.


RESULTS
Two hundred forty-three heterozygous beta thalassaemia carriers were included between July 1991 and February 2007. RT-PCR detected the molecular defect in 81% of the beta thalassaemia chromosomes analyzed [113 codon CD 39 (C --> T); 41 IVS-1-nt-110 (G --> A), 25 IVS 1-nt-1 (G --> A) and 19 IVS 1-nt-6 (T --> C)]. The remaining 12 molecular defects included the deletion 619 bp (7.8%) and the mutations -28 (A --> G), IVS1-nt-2 (T --> G), CD 41/42 (-TTCT), CD 8/9 (+G), CD 51 (-C), CD 22 (G --> T) and CD 24 (T --> A), CD 67 (-TG) and the novel mutation CD 20/21-TGGA.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of the mutations is similar to that found in the Mediterranean area. The increasing migratory flow received in the Canary Islands may explain the emergence of new mutations not reported before in our area.
Calvo-Villas
José Manuel
JM
Servicio de Hematología y Hemoterapia, Hospital General de Lanzarote, Arrecife, Las Palmas, España. jmcvillas@hotmail.com
de la Iglesia Iñigo
Silvia
S
Ropero Gradilla
Paloma
P
Zapata Ramos
María Francisca
MF
Cuesta Tovar
Jorge
J
Sicilia Guillén
Francisco
F
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016368:Frameshift Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*