Publication: The molecular basis of alpha-thalassemia in Thailand.
Issued Date
1992-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01251562
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0027031759
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health. Vol.23 Suppl 2, (1992), 7-13
Suggested Citation
P. Winichagoon, S. Fucharoen, P. Wasi The molecular basis of alpha-thalassemia in Thailand.. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health. Vol.23 Suppl 2, (1992), 7-13. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/22362
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Title
The molecular basis of alpha-thalassemia in Thailand.
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Abstract
Alpha thalassemia is the most common single gene mutation worldwide. In Thailand there exists 15-30% alpha-thalassemia carriers distributed throughout the country. DNA analysis by Southern blot hybridization reveals that the two major alpha-thalassemia alleles, alpha-thalassemia 1 and alpha-thalassemia 2 have different extents of alpha-globin gene deletion. In alpha-thalassemia 1, approximately 20 kb of DNA including the two linked alpha 1-and alpha 2-genes are removed and only the alpha-globin gene is intact. Total deletion of the alpha-globin gene cluster is rarely observed. In contrast, only one alpha-globin gene is deleted in alpha-thalassemia 2 of which two types have been detected, one involving a deletion of 4.2 kb of DNA (leftward type, -alpha 4.2) and another of 3.7 kb (rightward type, -alpha 3.7); the latter being more common than the former in Thailand. Compound heterozygosity for alpha-thalassemia 1 and alpha-thalassemia 2 results in HbH disease while homozygosity for alpha-thalassemia 1 leads to Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis, the most severe form of thalassemic disease. Three alpha-thalassemic hemoglobinopathies have been detected in Thailand, two of which produce a remarkable reduction in gene product. Upon interacting with alpha-thalassemia 1 gene they can lead to HbH disease. The most common in this group is Hb Constant Spring which arises from mutation of the termination codon in the alpha 2-gene resulting in an elongation of the alpha-globin chain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)