RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Molecular nature of alpha-globin genes in the Saudi population
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1271
OP 1276
DO 10.15537/smj.2015.11.12704
VO 36
IS 11
A1 Borgio, J. Francis
YR 2015
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/36/11/1271.abstract
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.