Haemoglobin Spanish Town alpha27 Glu replaced by Val (B8)

Further characterization of Hb Henri Mondor or alpha 2 beta 2(26)(B8)Glu----Val

A second case of Hb Henri Mondor is reported. The subject, homozygous for Hb Henri Mondor, is of Algerian origin. The electrophoretical behavior and structural characterization are given and discussed. Hb Henri Mondor, which is characterized by the replacement of the lysine residue in position beta 26, as is the case for Hb E, has normal functional properties and is normally expressed.

Haemoglobin gene frequencies in the Jamaican population: a study in 100,000 newborns

The gene frequencies of abnormal haemoglobins have been determined in a group of 100,000 Jamaican newborns screened over a period of 8 1/2 years. The population is predominantly of West African origin and the survey represents approximately one quarter of all island deliveries within the period of the study. The common beta globin chain abnormalities beta s and beta c occurred with gene frequencies of 0.055 and 0.019 respectively; beta thalassaemia was relatively rare. In contrast, alpha thalassaemia was quite common, occurring with a gene frequency of 0.183. In addition to these common abnormalities, the frequencies of 256 rare abnormal haemoglobins are described. This survey thus represents a complete and accurate documentation of the alpha and beta globin variants that occur in the Jamaican population.

Hemoglobin Shuangfeng (alpha 27 (B8) Glu substituting for Lys): a new unstable hemoglobin variant

An unstable hemoglobin variant was found in a 24-year-old Chinese of Han origin. It had an electrophoretic mobility slightly faster than that of Hb A2, but could not be separated from it completely by cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.6). Chromatography on DE-52 column showed that the variant amounted to approximately 13% of the total hemoglobin. Structural analysis showed that the hemoglobin had the structure alpha 27 (B8) Glu substituting for Lys. It was named Hemoglobin Shuangfeng. The alpha 27 Glu residue is an invariable residue located near the alpha 1 beta 1 contact.

Methods for detection of hemoglobin variants and hemoglobinopathies in the routine clinical laboratory

Many mutant hemoglobins and hemoglobinopathies can be identified with a high degree of specificity in the routine clinical laboratory. The most frequent abnormalities--those involving Hb S or C--are usually easily detectable in small amounts of sample analyzed by two simple methods of electrophoresis: cellulose acetate at pH 8.5 and citrate agar at pH 6. Some rarer mutants, e.g., Hb O, Hope, and Camden, can also be recognized by these two methods. Presumptive identification of other relatively frequent mutants, such as Hb D Los Angeles (Punjab) and Hb G Philadelphia, can be accomplished with additional data obtained from globin electrophoresis on cellulose acetate in acidic and alkaline buffers containing urea and 2-mercaptoethanol (or dithioerythritol). Electrophoretic profiles are presented of about a dozen hemoglobins likely to be encountered in screening programs in the U.S. Methods are also presented for identifying other genetic hemoglobin abnormalities--various types of thalassemia, Hb M, unstable hemoglobins, and those of the newborn.

Homozygous cases for hemoglobin J Mexico (alpha54 (E3)Gln replaced by Glu) evidence for a duplicated alpha gene with unequal expression

Hemoglobin J Mexico has been found in five generations of a large Algerian family. Nine subjects have 55% Hb J although their parents, siblings and offspring may have 31%, the usual quantity found in heterozygotes. Those with 55% Hb J are considered to be homozygous for a chromosome carrying both a normal alpha chain locus and a locus for alphaJ. The proportion of the abnormal hemoglobin in all the subjects is in favor of an unequal expression of both loci, the amount of protein synthesis directed by the alpha J gene being greater than that directed by the alpha A. In two heterozygotes a slightly higher proportion of the Hb J (38%) suggests the presence of a single normal alpha chain locus in trans. An associated alpha-thalassemia was excluded by biosynthetic studies in this family.