Description of two new alpha variants: Hb Canuts [alpha85(F6)Asp--His (alpha1)] and Hb Ambroise Pare [alpha117(GH5)Phe--Ile (alpha2)]; two new beta variants: Hb Beaujolais [beta84(EF8)Thr--Asn] and Hb Monplaisir [beta147 (Tyr-Lys-Leu-Ala-Phe-Phe-Leu-Leu-Ser-Asn-Phe-Tyr-158-COOH)] and one new delta variant: Hb (A2)North Africa [delta59(E3)Lys--Met]

We present here five new hemoglobin (Hb) variants which have been identified during routine Hb analysis before their genotypic characterization. Four of these result from a classical missense mutation: Hb Canuts [alpha85(F6)Asp--His (alpha1)], Hb Ambroise Pare [alpha117(GH5)Phe--Ile (alpha2)], Hb Beaujolais [beta84(EF8)Thr--Asn] and HbA(2)-North Africa [delta59(E3)Lys--Met]. The last one, Hb Monplaisir [beta147 (Tyr-Lys-Leu-Ala-Phe-Phe-Leu-Leu-Ser-Asn-Phe-Tyr-158-COOH)], results from a frameshift mutation at the stop codon of the beta-globin gene which leads to a modified C-terminal sequence in the beta-globin chain. None of these variants seem to have a particular clinical expression in the heterozygous state. The circumstances of the discovery of these five new Hb variants emphasize the fact that an association of techniques is necessary for a complete screening of Hb variants during routine Hb analysis. Globin chain separation by reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) appears to be the most relevant method.