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We describe two novel α2 gene mutations that result in an altered amino acid sequence. In case 1, the α2 stop codon was mutated from TAA > TTA (HBA2: c.428A > T), resulting in an α2 protein chain extension of 31 amino acids. The new hemoglobin (Hb) variant was named Hb Kinshasa for the place of origin of the patient. This patient was also a carrier of Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T), which was expressed at reduced levels, but had an otherwise normal blood count. For cases 2 and 3, an α2 frameshift mutation caused a premature α2 protein chain termination at position 133 (HBA2: c.342-345insCC). The phenotype of this mutation seems to be rather severe as judged by the pronounced microcytosis and hypochromia observed in case 2. In addition, the father of this patient (case 3) also carried a β(0)-thalassemia (β(0)-thal) mutation (HBB: c.118C > T).

We report the identification of two different mutations involving the first nucleotide of intron 1 of the alpha2-globin gene: IVS-I-1 G-->A and G-->T. The available data indicated that both mutations reduce the efficiency of proper mRNA splicing, resulting in alpha(+)-thalassemia (alpha(+)-thal).

A new alpha-globin mutation causing persistent mild hypochromic microcytosis and erythrocytosis is described. Hb Zurich Albisrieden [alpha59(E8)Gly-->Arg (alpha2)] is not detected at the protein level and leads to alpha(+)-thalassemia (thal).