α-Globin gene mutations in Isfahan Province, Iran

α-Thalassemia (α-thal) encompasses a spectrum of mutations including deletion and point mutations on the α-globin chains that is characterized by a reduction or complete absence of α-globin genes. Most of the α-thal cases are deletions involving one (α(+)) or both (α(0)) α-globin genes, although point mutations (α(T)α or αα(T)) are found as well. In this study, 314 individuals with low hematological values, normal Hb A2 who were not affected with β-thal or iron deficiency, were investigated for the presence of α-thal mutations. The most common deletion was -α(3.7) (rightward) with a frequency of 70.7%, followed by α(-5 nt) (-TGAGG) (8.7%), -α(4.2) (leftward) (4.7%), the polyadenylation signal (polyA2) site (AATAAA > AATGAA) (4.2%), -(α)(20.5) (3.8%), Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS, α142, Stop→Gln; HBA2: c.427T > C] (2.9%), polyA1 (AATAAA > AATAAG) and α(codon 19) (GCG > GC-, α2) (16%), and - -(MED) (0.9%). The results of this study may be valuable for designing a plan for carrier screening, premarital genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis (PND) and reducing excessive health care costs to an affordable level in Isfahan Province, Iran.