Differential expression of I alpha- and II alpha-globin genes in Norwegian dairy goats.

Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to determine the ratio between I alpha- and II alpha-globin chains in Norwegian dairy goats. Three different phenotypes, designated normal (N) with I alpha- to II alpha-globin ratio 3:1, reversed (R) with ratio 1:2 and double-reversed (RR) with no I alpha-globin, were described. Family studies indicated that the R animals were heterozygous, and the RR animal homozygous, for a haplotype without a functional I alpha-globin product. Southern blot analysis of goat DNAs digested with six different restriction enzymes showed that the different ratios of alpha chain expression could not be due to a deletion of the I alpha-gene and/or duplication or triplication of the II alpha-globin genes. The homozygous reversed animal with no detectable I alpha-globin had a mild anaemia.