Molecular characterization of an atypical beta-thalassemia caused by a large deletion in the 5' beta-globin gene region.

We describe a Canadian family of Czechoslovakian descent that came to our attention because of an HbA2 percentage approximately twice that of an average case of heterozygous beta-thalassemia. This unique phenotype suggested to us the possibility of a novel genetic mechanism being responsible for their beta-thalassemia. To investigate this possibility, we mapped, cloned, and sequenced the mutant beta-globin allele. This molecular analysis demonstrated the presence of a unique 4,237 base pair (bp) deletion extending from 3.3 kilobases (kb) 5' of the beta-globin mRNA cap site to approximately the middle of beta IVS-2. This truncated beta-globin gene further extends the heterogeneity of mutations known to cause beta-thalassemia and delineates new sequences involved in nonhomologous recombination events in the beta-globin gene region.