Detection of a rare beta-globin nonsense mutation [codon 59 (AAG-->TAG)] in an Italian family.

In this study we report on the hematological and molecular findings of a family from Central Italy, whose 33-year-old male proband presented with a beta0-thalassemia (thal) trait associated to a relevant Hb F level. The proband and his family (parents and a sister) were investigated by hematological analysis. The two beta-thal carriers of the beta-globin nonsense mutation [codon 59 (AAG-->TAG)] (the proband and his father) showed the hematological picture of a beta0-thal trait: the only hematological difference between the two beta-thal carriers was in the Hb F level (3.

Rapid detection of six common Mediterranean and three non-Mediterranean alpha-thalassemia point mutations by reverse dot blot analysis.

We describe the implementation of reverse dot blot (RDB) hybridization as a rapid nonradioactive method for the identification of six frequent globin gene point mutations in the Mediterranean population: alpha(Hph)alpha: alpha2 IVS I donor site GGTGAGG --> GG-----; alpha(NcoI)alpha: alpha2 initiation codon ATG --> ACG; alpha(TSaudi)alpha: alpha2Poly A signal AATAA --> AATAAG; alpha(Icaria)alpha: alpha2 termination codon TAA --> AAA (Ter --> LYS); alpha(CS)alpha: alpha2 termination codon TAA --> CAA (Ter --> gly); alphaalpha(NcoI): alpha1 initiation codon ATG --> GTG; and three alpha2 globin gene point mutations found in immigrants in Italy: alpha(T-Quongsze)alpha: alpha2 codon 12 CTG --> CCG (Leu --> Pro); alpha(Seal Rock)alpha: alpha2 termination codon TAA --> GAA (TER --> GLU); and alpha(Koyadora)alpha: alpha2 termination codon TAA --> TCA (TER --> SER). The method uses the principle of allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization, but it is a nonradioactive method and permits rapid and simultaneous typing of point mutations and small deletions.

Factors regulating Hb F synthesis in thalassemic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The thalassemic syndromes originate from mutations of the globin genes that cause, besides the characteristic clinical picture, also an increased Hb F amount. It is not yet clear if there are more factors, besides the beta globin genotype, determining the Hb F production. We have tried to find out if there are relations between total Hb and Hb F, between erythropoietin (Epo) and Hb F, between Hb F and point mutations of the gamma gene promoters.

Reliability of DHPLC in mutational screening of beta-globin (HBB) alleles.

The inherited disorders of hemoglobin represent the most common Mendelian disease worldwide, with a higher prevalence among Mediterraneans, Asians, Africans, and Indians. Altered beta-globin sequences, causing either hemoglobinopathies or beta-thalassemia syndromes, are due to more than 200 different mutations in the beta-globin gene. Prevention programs based on postnatal and prenatal molecular diagnosis of heterozygous carriers and/or patients require the use of reliable mutation scanning methods in at-risk populations.