title: Molecular nature of alpha-globin genes in the Saudi population.
abstract: Alpha-thalassemia (α-thal) is a disorder caused by the deletion of single or double α-globin genes, and/or point mutations in the α-globin genes. There are 2 common types of α-globin genes; HBA2 and HBA1. Recently, it has been discovered that the HBA2 gene is replaced by a unique HBA12 gene convert in 5.7% of the Saudi population. The α-globin genes have been emerging as a molecular target for the treatment of β-thalassemia (β-thal). Hence, it is essential to understand the molecular nature of α-globin genes to treat the most prevalent hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell disease, α-thal, and β-thal prevalent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thirty-two different α-globin genotypes have been observed in the Saudi population. This review outlines the classification of the α-globin genes on the basis of their molecular nature and complex combinations of α-globin genes, and their variants predominant in Saudis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research and Medical Consultation, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. fbalexander@uod.edu.sa.
authors.forename: J Francis
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Borgio
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D006801:Humans; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D055542:alpha-Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D055542:alpha-Globins