Alu repetitive sequences are frequently involved in homologous and non-homologous recombination events in the alpha-cluster. Possible mechanisms involved in Alu-mediated recombination events are strand exchange, promoted by DNA pairing between highly homologous Alu repeats, and subsequent strand invasion. Alternatively, Alu sequences might play a more active role in recombinogenic processes in the alpha-cluster. We describe a novel 33-kb alphazero-thalassaemia deletion --DUTCH encompassing the alpha- and zeta-globin genes and pseudogenes in a kindred of Dutch-Caucasian origin. This deletion appears similar, although not identical, to the previously described --MEDII deletion. Cloning and sequencing of both the --DUTCH and --MEDII deletion breakpoints clearly indicate that the mechanism leading to these alphazero-thalassaemia deletions involves misalignment between the highly homologous tandemly arranged Alu repeats at both parental sides, which are normally 33 kb apart. Comparison of breakpoint positions along the Alu consensus sequence indicate the involvement of a 26-bp core sequence in two out of five alphazero-thalassaemia deletions. This sequence has been identified by others as a possible hotspot of recombination. These findings favour the idea that Alu repeats stimulate recombination events not only by homologous pairing, but also by providing binding sites for recombinogenic proteins.

We report the application of DGGE and SSCA for the identification of point mutations causing α‐thalassemia. The α‐globin genes were amplified in three overlapping fragments of 250 bp (I), 540 bp (II), and 600 bp (III), respectively. Fragments II and III were analyzed by DGGE, while fragments I and II were analysed by SSCA. A panel of seven previously identified mutations was employed to test the combined DGGE/SSCA strategy: 5/5 and 6/7 mutations were detected by SSCA and DGGE, respectively. The same approach has also led to the identification of eight disease‐causing mutations in a sample of 18 presumed non‐deletional α‐thalassemia carriers. During this pilot study, two novel mutations as well as three new polymorphisms were found. The combined application of SSCA and DGGE allows the rapid identification of mutations responsable for α‐thalassemia and abnormal globin chain variants. Moreover, it will prove extremely useful for pre‐ and postnatal diagnosis and in screening programs for non‐deletional α‐thalassemias. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

In this article we describe the molecular characterization of 104 independent alpha-thalassemia patients identified by hematological analysis and family studies. During the study, another six chromosomes were identified with rearrangements of the alpha-cluster or point mutations in the alpha 2-globin gene, not associated with alpha-thalassemia, in healthy relatives of the patients. The molecular defects were established by Southern blot analysis and, if no deletions could be identified, the alpha-globin genes were investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and single strand conformation analysis for the presence of point mutations. Following this strategy, we were able to identify the molecular basis of 131 independent alpha-thalassemia chromosomes. In two individuals, the alpha-thalassemia determinant could not be demonstrated at the molecular level. We identified eight different deletion and five non-deletion alpha-thalassemias, three rearrangements in the alpha-cluster, two alpha-chain variants, and a silent mutation in the alpha 2-globin gene not associated with alpha-thalassemia. The large heterogeneity of alpha-thalassemia mutations seen in the Dutch population might be typical for northern European countries where, besides the more common mutations introduced by migration, a variety of sporadic mutations was also found in the autochthonous population. The screening strategy as described here, capable of identifying a wide spectrum of both deletions and point mutations, identified 98% of the alpha-thalassemia determinants present in 133 chromosomes.

We report the application of DGGE and SSCA for the identification of point mutations causing alpha-thalassemia. The alpha-globin genes were amplified in three overlapping fragments of 250 bp (I), 540 bp (II), and 600 bp (III), respectively. Fragments II and III were analysed by DGGE, while fragments I and II were analysed by SSCA. A panel of seven previously identified mutations was employed to test the combined DGGE/SSCA strategy: 5/5 and 6/7 mutations were detected by SSCA and DGGE, respectively. The same approach has also led to the identification of eight disease-causing mutations in a sample of 18 presumed non-deletional alpha-thalassemia carriers. During this pilot study, two novel mutations as well as three new polymorphisms were found. The combined application of SSCA and DGGE allows the rapid identification of mutations responsible for alpha-thalassemia and abnormal globin chain variants. Moreover, it will prove extremely useful for pre- and postnatal diagnosis and in screening programs for non-deletional alpha-thalassemias.

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