beta(S)-Globin gene cluster haplotypes in the West Bank of Palestine.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder of the beta-globin chain. In Palestine it is accompanied by a low level of Hb F (mean 5.14%) and a severe clinical presentation. In this study, 59 Palestinian patients, homozygotes for Hb S were studied for their haplotype background. Eight polymorphic sites in the beta-globin gene cluster were examined. The Benin haplotype was predominant with a frequency of 88.1%, followed by a frequency of 5.1% for the Bantu haplotype. One chromosome was found to carry the Cameroon haplotype (0.85%). Three atypical haplotypes were also found (5.95%). Heterogeneity was observed in Hb F production, ranging between 1.5 and 17.0%, whereas the (G)gamma ratio was homogeneous among all haplotypes with a normal amount of about 41%. Our results are in agreement with previous reports of the Benin haplotype origin in the Mediterranean.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Fekri
F
Samarah
Suhail
S
Ayesh
Miranda
M
Athanasiou
John
J
Christakis
Norma
N
Vavatsi
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018912:Arabs / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006239:Haplotypes; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000235:genetics*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D055544:beta-Globins / Q000235:genetics*
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D055544:beta-Globins