Absence of messenger RNA and gene DNA for beta-globin chains in hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin

Cell. 1976 Mar;7(3):323-9. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(76)90161-6.

Abstract

The relative amounts of alpha-amd beta-globin mRNA and globin gene DNA were measured in reticulocyte RNA and lymphocyte DNA of an individual with homozygous hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin whose red blood cells contain 100% fetal hemoglobin (hb F: alpha2gamma2.) Molecular hybridization assays used as probes full-length DNA copies of human alpha- and beta-globin messenger RNA. The results of these hybridization assays demonstrated the expected amounts of alpha-globin mRNA and gene DNA, but absence of beta-globin mRNA and absence of beta-globin gene DNA. In the individual studied, hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin is associated with total deletion of the beta-globin structural gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • DNA / analysis*
  • Female
  • Fetal Hemoglobin*
  • Genes*
  • Globins / biosynthesis*
  • Hemoglobinopathies / blood
  • Hemoglobinopathies / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / analysis
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • Reticulocytes / analysis

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Globins
  • DNA
  • Fetal Hemoglobin