THALASSEMIA Flashcards
▪ results of impaired (deficient) globin chain synthesis
THALASSEMIA
▪ may affect either the alpha or beta chain synthesis
THALASSEMIA
THALASSEMIA ▪ diverse group of genetic disorders due to:
a. quantitative reduction in globin chain synthesis for hemoglobin
b. formation of structurally abnormal hemoglobins formed from normal globin chains or parts of normal chains
a. quantitative reduction in globin chain synthesis for hemoglobin
• alpha (a)
• beta (ß)
• gamma (y)
• delta (δ)
b. formation of structurally abnormal hemoglobins formed from normal globin chains or parts of normal chains
• Hb H (ß4)
• Hb Barts (y4)
• Hb Lepore
• Hb Constant Spring (presents with a thalassemic clinical picture)
▪ decreased or non-existent production of one or more globin chain type
THALASSEMIA
• most common thalassemias:
- α-thalassemia: ↓ α-chain(s)
- ß-thalassemia: ↓ ß-chain(s)
▪ human hemoglobin may contain any of seven different globin polypeptide chains
- alpha (α)
- beta (ß)
- G gamma (G γ)
- A gamma (A γ)
- delta (δ)
- epsilon (ɛ)
- zeta (ζ)
▪ globin rearrangement usually occurs in:
• chromosome 11
• chromosome 16
• chromosome 11:
- beta (ß)
- gamma (γ)
• chromosome 16:
- alpha (α)
- zeta (ζ)
- gamma (γ): two types of y chains produced (differ in the 136th position)
- G gamma (Gγ)
- A gamma (Aγ)
- amino acid: glycine
- G gamma (Gγ)
- amino acid: alanine
- A gamma (Aγ)
- delta (δ) - epsilon (ɛ)
- A gamma (Aγ)
141
alpha
zeta
unknown
theta
146
beta
delta
gamma
epsilon
4; Ch 16
alpha
2; Ch 11
beta
delta
gamma
epsilon
2; Ch 16
zeta
double
alpha
gamma
single
beta
delta
epsilon
zeta
: embryonic chains
*Epsilon and zeta
: embryonic counterpart of alpha
*Zeta
: embryonic counterpart of beta, delta, and gamma
*Epsilon
▪ 1 globin
GLOBIN STRUCTURE
▪ protein portion composed of 2 sets (dimer) of 2 different polypeptide chains
GLOBIN STRUCTURE
▪ determines the type of hemoglobin
GLOBIN STRUCTURE
2 ζ 2 ɛ
Gower I
embryonic Hbs
Gower I
Gower II
Portland 2
2 α 2 ɛ
Gower II
ζ 2 γ
Portland 2
2 α 2 γ
Fetal (Hb F)
2 α 2 ß
major Hb A1
A2 2 α 2 δ
minor Hb
newborns and adults
Fetal (Hb F)
major Hb A1
minor Hb A2
Hemoglobin concentrations in adults
major Hb A1: 92-95%
Hb A2: 2-3%
Hb F: 1-2%
• most potential Hb incorporated on RBCs to transport oxygen to the tissues
major Hb A1: 92-95%
• compensation in cases of abnormalities affecting Hb A1
Hb A2: 2-3%
▪ [?] anemia
microcytic and hypochromic
▪ RBC count:
elevated (↑)
▪ abnormalities:
• nucleated RBCs
• microcytosis
• hypochromia
• anisocytosis
• poikilocytosis
• polychromasia
• basophilic stippling
• target cells (predominant)
• leukocytes and platelets
- variations in the shades of cell colors
• polychromasia
- caused by a combination of the affinity of hemoglobin ribosomal RNA
• polychromasia
(predominant)
• target cells
: not affected- display of diffused bluish-gray tint of RBCs
• leukocytes and platelets
▪ concurrent iron deficiency in thalassemia causes:
• lower concentrations of Hb A2 and Hb H
• lower serum iron and iron stores
- may mask diagnosis of heterozygous ß thalassemia and Hb H disease, respectively
• lower concentrations of Hb A2 and Hb H
- Hb H inclusions may be more difficult to detect in red cells
• lower concentrations of Hb A2 and Hb H
▪ diagnosis: in cases of iron deficient individuals, [?] should first be repleted before performing diagnostic tests for thalassemia
iron deficient iron stores
▪ on the short arm of chromosome 16
- ALPHA GENES
: 4 genes (2 genes each inherited from parents)
▪ (αα/αα)
• 2 copies of α-globin gene per chromatid =
4 genes per diploid cell (αα/αα)
▪ nomenclature:
• 1 gene deletion: -α
• 2 gene deletion: (–)
• 3 gene deletion: –/-α or α-/–
• 4 gene deletion: –/– • non-functional α-genes: present but nonfunctional hence do not code for globin synthesis (partially suppressed gene)
• 1 gene deletion:
-α
• 2 gene deletion:
(–)
• 3 gene deletion:
–/-α or α-/–
• 4 gene deletion:
–/–
: present but nonfunctional hence do not code for globin synthesis (partially suppressed gene)
• non-functional α-genes
• non-functional α-genes:
- superscript (+ )
- example: αα+
: -α - α-thalassemia 2 or α+ thalassemia
• 1 gene deletion
- αα/-α or α-/αα
• 1 gene deletion
: (–) - α-thalassemia 1 or αo thalassemia
• 2 gene deletion
- homozygous:
αα/– or –/αα
- heterozygous (1 α-gene deleted per parent):
α-/α- or -α/-α
▪ deficiency in the synthesis of alpha-globin chains
ALPHA THALASSEMIA
▪ each individual has two sets of two alpha genes
ALPHA THALASSEMIA
▪ usual mechanism of suppression: gene deletion
ALPHA THALASSEMIA
• causes suppression of all four genes leading to complete suppression of alpha chain synthesis
gene deletion