title: Genetic determinants of β-thalassemia intermedia in Pakistan.
abstract: This study covers the molecular characterization of clinically diagnosed β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) patients in Pakistan. Blood samples of β-TI patients were collected from all four provinces of Pakistan throughout the period of 2011-2013. The study was carried out using allele-specific primers through polymerase chain reaction or sequencing to determine both α- and β-thalassemia (α- and β-thal) mutations, and restriction enzymes for the characterization of β-globin gene arrangements. In a total of 63 patients, the IVS-I-5 (G > C) was the most frequent mutation (33.88%). The codon 30 (G > A) and IVS-II-1 (T > C) mutations were found only in the Punjabi ethnic group, while the codon 30 (G > C) and Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T) mutations were found only in the Pashtoon and Sindhi ethnic groups, respectively. In case of α-globin genotypes, 44 patients were normal (αα/αα), six patients carried the αα/-α(3.7) genotype, 12 patients carried the -α(3.7)/-α(3.7) genotype, while one patient had the αα/ααα(anti 3.7) genotype. We found that haplotype I was the most frequent, mostly associated with the codons 8/9 (+G) mutation, while the Saudi haplotype was found only with Hb S.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Gomal University , Dera Ismail Khan , Pakistan .
authors.forename: Jabbar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nafees
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siraj
authors.forename: Naseruddin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D040582:Inheritance Patterns; D009154:Mutation; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D055542:alpha-Globins / Q000235:genetics; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D055544:beta-Globins / Q000235:genetics; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D055542:alpha-Globins; D055544:beta-Globins
keywords: Haplotype; hemoglobin (Hb); mutation; polymorphism; thalassemia