GAMMA-T CHAIN OF HUMAN FETAL HEMOGLOBIN AT BIRTH AND IN SEVERAL ABNORMAL HEMATOLOGIC CONDITIONS

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (10) , 1102-1105
Abstract
The T.gamma. chain of human fetal Hb has a threonyl instead of an isoleucyl residue in position 75. When the cord bloods from infants from varied ethnic backgrounds and geographic areas were tested for the presence of the T.gamma. chain, it was present in 28 or 98 samples. In some groups as many as 40% had the T.gamma. chain but none was detected in others. When the T.gamma. chain was present, its quantity was about 20% of the total .gamma. chains, but 1 case had 35%. Among .beta.-thalassemia homozygotes of Mediterranean region, 70% had the T.gamma. chain in the amount of 20-50% of the total .gamma. chains, but 7 black .beta.-thalassemia homozygotes were negative for the T.gamma. chain. The fetal Hb of 16 adult patients with sickle cell anemia had no T.gamma. chains, but 2 of 9 newborn children with sickle cell anemia had the T.gamma. chain. The frequency of the T.gamma. gene (16), the relationship of the T.gamma. gene to the G.gamma. and A.gamma. genes and the significance of the T.gamma. gene are discussed.