α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is the most common monogenic disease that is caused by the absence or reduced expression of α-globin genes. The aim of this study was to investigate common α-globin mutations and their associated haplotypes in four northern provinces of Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Khorasan). One thousand, one hundred and ninety-one persons were tested for α-thal mutations by gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse dot-blot hybridization, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and sequencing. Of the nine different mutations found, the most frequent were -α (rightward deletion) (45.6%), polyadenylation site (α°α) (α2) (AATAAA>AATGAA; HBA2: c.*92 A>G) (15.27%), - - (Mediterranean deletion) (6.86%), -α (leftward deletion), (6.17%), αα [Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS) (HBA2: c.427 T>C)] (4.62%), -α (HBA2: c.95+2_95+6delTGAGG) (3.70%). All chromosomes bearing an α-globin point mutation [α°α, -αα, αα, α°α (AATAAA> AATAAG; HBA2: c.*94 A>G)] showed only one haplotype that was present in most normal chromosomes, while the -α deletion was associated with three distinct haplotypes. Our results indicate that α-thal mutations are heterogeneous and -α and α°α are the most prevalent mutations in this region. The presence of -α with three different haplotypes suggests an older history for this mutation. The high prevalence of α°α in Mazandaran Province, Iran compared to other parts of the country and the world, suggests a founder effect. Altogether, we here provide further data confirming the heterogeneity of the northern population of Iran. These data may contribute to the establishment of a national mutation database, more accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis (PND).
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