PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J. Francis Borgio
TI  - Molecular nature of alpha-globin genes in the Saudi population
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2015.11.12704
DP  - 2015 Nov 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1271--1276
VI  - 36
IP  - 11
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/11/1271.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/36/11/1271.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2015 Nov 01; 36
AB  - 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.