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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

An Aγ-globin G->A gene polymorphism associated with β⁰39 thalassemia globin gene and high fetal hemoglobin production

Authors: Giulia Breveglieri, Nicoletta Bianchi, Lucia Carmela Cosenza, Maria Rita Gamberini, Francesco Chiavilli, Cristina Zuccato, Giulia Montagner, Monica Borgatti, Ilaria Lampronti, Alessia Finotti, Roberto Gambari

Published in: BMC Medical Genetics | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Increase of the expression of γ-globin gene and high production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in β-thalassemia patients is widely accepted as associated with a milder or even asymptomatic disease. The search for HbF-associated polymorphisms (such as the XmnI, BCL11A and MYB polymorphisms) has recently gained great attention, in order to stratify β-thalassemia patients with respect to expectancy of the first transfusion, need for annual intake of blood, response to HbF inducers (the most studied of which is hydroxyurea).

Methods

Aγ-globin gene sequencing was performed on genomic DNA isolated from a total of 75 β-thalassemia patients, including 31 β⁰39/β⁰39, 33 β⁰39/β⁺IVSI-110, 9 β⁺IVSI-110/β⁺IVSI-110, one β⁰IVSI-1/β⁺IVSI-6 and one β⁰39/β⁺IVSI-6.

Results

The results show that the rs368698783 polymorphism is present in β-thalassemia patients in the 5’UTR sequence (+25) of the Aγ-globin gene, known to affect the LYAR (human homologue of mouse Ly-1 antibody reactive clone) binding site 5′-GGTTAT-3′. This Aγ(+25 G->A) polymorphism is associated with the Gγ-globin-XmnI polymorphism and both are linked with the β⁰39-globin gene, but not with the β⁺IVSI-110-globin gene. In agreement with the expectation that this mutation alters the LYAR binding activity, we found that the Aγ(+25 G->A) and Gγ-globin-XmnI polymorphisms are associated with high HbF in erythroid precursor cells isolated from β⁰39/β⁰39 thalassemia patients.

Conclusions

As a potential explanation of our findings, we hypothesize that in β-thalassemia the Gγ-globin-XmnI/Aγ-globin-(G->A) genotype is frequently under genetic linkage with β⁰-thalassemia mutations, but not with the β⁺-thalassemia mutation here studied (i.e. β⁺IVSI-110) and that this genetic combination has been selected within the population of β⁰-thalassemia patients, due to functional association with high HbF. Here we describe the characterization of the rs368698783 (+25 G->A) polymorphism of the Aγ-globin gene associated in β⁰39 thalassemia patients with high HbF in erythroid precursor cells.

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Title: An Aγ-globin G->A gene polymorphism associated with β039 thalassemia globin gene and high fetal hemoglobin production
Authors: Giulia Breveglieri
Nicoletta Bianchi
Lucia Carmela Cosenza
Maria Rita Gamberini
Francesco Chiavilli
Cristina Zuccato
Giulia Montagner
Monica Borgatti
Ilaria Lampronti
Alessia Finotti
Roberto Gambari
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Medical Genetics / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12881-017-0450-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

An Aγ-globin G->A gene polymorphism associated with β⁰39 thalassemia globin gene and high fetal hemoglobin production

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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