Abstract
We characterized nearly 500 β-thalassemia genes from the Israeli population representing a variety of ethnic subgroups. We found 28 different mutations in the β-globin gene, including three mutations (β(S), β(C), and β(O-Arab)) causing hemoglobinopathies. Marked genetic heterogeneity was observed in both the Arab (20 mutations) and Jewish (17 mutations) populations. On the other hand, two ethnic isolates-Druze and Samaritans-had a single mutation each. Fifteen of the β-thalassemia alleles are Mediterranean in type, 5 originated in Kurdistan, 2 are of Indian origin, and 2 sporadic alleles came from Europe. Only one mutant allele-nonsense codon 37-appears to be indigenous to Israel. While human habitation in Israel dates back to early prehistory, the present-day spectrum of β-globin mutations can be largely explained by migration events that occurred in the past millennium.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 836-843 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American journal of human genetics |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 5 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Genetics(clinical)