title: KLF1 gene mutations cause borderline HbA(2).
abstract: Increased hemoglobin A(2) (HbA(2); ie, levels > 3.9%) is the most important feature of β-thalassemia carriers. However, it is not uncommon to find persons with borderline HbA(2) (levels, 3.3%-3.8%), who pose a relevant screening problem. Several genotypes have been associated with borderline HbA(2), but sometimes the reasons for this unusual phenotype are unknown. In this paper, we report, for the first time, that mutations of KLF1 result in HbA(2) levels in the borderline range. Six different KLF1 mutations were identified in 52 of 145 subjects with borderline HbA(2) and normal mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Two mutations (T327S and T280_H283del) are here reported for the first time. The prevalent mutation in Sardinians is S270X, which accounts for 80.8% of the total. The frequent discovery of KLF1 mutations in these atypical carriers may contribute significantly to the thalassemia screening programs aimed at identification of at risk couples.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perseu
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satta
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moi
authors.forename: Franca Rosa
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Demartis
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manunza
authors.forename: Maria Carla
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sollaino
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barella
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galanello
mesh_terms: D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D006443:Hemoglobin A2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; C080774:erythroid Kruppel-like factor; D006443:Hemoglobin A2