Aberrations in sexual behavior in some brewing and other industrial yeasts

Summary The mating behavior of a number of brewer's and distiller's yeasts was determined with a and haploid and aa and diploid tester strains. Mating frequencies were not high, ranging from one to (rarely) 2,000/10⁸ cells in the mating mixture. Sporulating hybrids were obtained in most matings, though the percentage spore viability initially obtained was often low. Notable the spore viability obtained in hybrids with the haploid tester strains and the brewing strains DIB and DICH was much higher than from the a haploid tester strain, and higher in hybrids between these strains and the aa diploid tester than in those from the tester strain. With the brewing strain NBA, the spore viability in hybrids with the a haploid tester strain was higher than in the case of strains DIB and DICH, but the spore viability in the hybrid of NBA x the haploid strain was higher still. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that with the a and aa tester strains, most of the industrial yeasts tested mate as diploids, and with the and testers, they mate as haploids, an hypothesis which is supported by the segregation of adenine markers in the progeny of these hybrids.Presented in part at the 6th International Specialized Symposium on Yeasts, Montpellier, France, 2–8 July, 1978     

Über die Eignung von Naphthyl-α-l-fucosiden zur Untersuchung der α-l-Fucosidasen

Zusammenfassung Verglichen mit 1- und 2-Naphthyl--d-glucosid,--d-galactosid,--d-glucuronid,--d-N-acetylglucosaminid,--d-glucosid,--d-galactosid und--d-mannosid werden 1- und 2-Naphthyl--l-fucosid schneller oder im gleichen Ausmaß von Homogenaten verschiedener Rattenorgane hydrolysiert. Trotzdem fällt der histochemische Nachweis der -l-Fucosidasen methodenunabhängig im Gegensatz zu dem der anderen Glykosidasen überwiegend negativ aus. Ursache dafür ist die massive Hemmung der -l-Fucosidase durch Aldehydfixation und Diazoniumsalze; die Inhibitionsrate liegt bei 90% bzw. zwischen 85 und 98%; die - und -d-Glucosidase, - und -d-Galactosidase, -d-Mannosidase, -d-Glucuronidase sowie -d-N-Acetylglucosaminidase werden durch Aldehydfixation oder Kuppler höchstens zu 70% gehemmt. Daher können 1- und 2-Naphthyl--l-fucosid für die histochemische Darstellung der -l-Fucosidase nicht einschränkungslos empfohlen werden. Kleine Mengen Dimethylformamid hemmen die meisten Glykosidasen nicht.Für biochemische Messungen der -l-Fucosidase eignet sich speziell 1-Naphthyl--l-fucosid und läßt sich an Stelle von p-Nitrophenyl--l-fucosid werwenden. Bei der fluorometrischen Untersuchung der -l-Fucosidase in Rattenorganen mit dem 2-Naphthylderivat ergeben sich bemerkenswerte Aktivitätsunterschiede.

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Suitability of naphthyl--l-fucosides for the investigation of -l-fucosidases

Summary In comparison with 1- and 2-naphthyl -d-glucoside, -d-galactoside, -d-glucuronide, -d-N-acetylglucosaminide, -d-glucoside, -d-galactoside and -d-mannoside 1- and 2-naphthyl -l-fucoside are hydrolyzed more quickly or to the same extent by homogenates prepared from freezedried cryostate sections of various rat organs. Nevertheless, when the fucosides are employed for the histochemical demonstration of -l-fucosidase mostly negative data were obtained independent on the method used, whereas all other naphthyl glycosides deliver positive results. The reasons for these discrepancies are the marked inhibition of -l-fucosidase by aldehyde fixation and diazonium salts. Then, -l-fucosidase activity is suppressed to 90% and between 85 and 98% respectively; the inhibition of - and -d-glucosidase, - and -d-galactosidase, -d-mannosidase, -d-glucuronidase and -d-N-acetylglucosaminidase by the fixative or coupling reagent does not exceed 70%. Therefore 1- and 2-naphthyl -l-fucoside cannot be recommended in general for histochemical purposes. Small amounts of dimethylformamide do not influence the activity of most of the glycosidases investigated.For biochemical measurements, however, especially 1-naphthyl -l-fucoside represents a suitable alternative in a fluorometric procedure instead of p-nitrophenyl -l-fucoside used for the photometric evaluation of -l-fucosidase. With the fluorometric method the enzyme was measured in rat organs, which posses remarkably different activities of -l-fucosidase.

     

Structure of F1-ATPases

F₁-ATPases are large multimeric proteins that can be isolated from the membrane bound system that catalyzes the phosphorylation of ADP by inorganic phosphate in bacteria, plants, and mitochondria. They can be visualized in electron micrographs of the inner mitochondrial membranes where they appear as large protruding spheres 90 Å in diameter. The purified F₁-ATPases have a molecular weight of 320,000 to 400,000 daltons and are composed of five non-identical subunits (, , , and ). The stoichiometry of these subunits in the complex is still unknown but compositions of the type ₃₃ and ₂₂₂₂₂ were found to be consistent with some of the available experimental data. This review discusses the recent data and the experimental approaches utilized for the structural characterization of F₁-ATPases.     

1H and13C-NMR analysis of four pentasaccharides from urine of blood-group A and B,Leb adults. Confirmation of the structure of two new oligosaccharides: Fuc(α1–2)[GalNAc(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc and Fuc(α1–2)[Gal(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc

The major pentasaccharides Fuc(1-2)[GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc, which are normally present in the urine of bloodgroup A Le^b and B Le^b healthy subjects, were each found to be contaminated by a minor component when analysed by¹H-NMR. The determination of these structures, Fuc(1-2) [GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc, was based on the results of methylation analysis and¹H/¹³C-NMR spectroscopy.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - GLC gas liquid chromatography - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - COSY correlation spectroscopy - Gal d-galactopyranose - GalNAc 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranose - Glc d-glucopyranose - Fuc l-fucopyranose - LNDFH I lacto-N-difucohexaose I (Le^b determinant     

O-Glycosidically linked oligosaccharides from peptidorhamnomannans ofSporothrix schenckii

-Elimination of peptidorhamnomannans purified from yeast-like and mycelial phases ofSporothrix schenckii released neutral and acidic reduced oligosaccharides that were O linked to serine and/or threonine. Man-(1–2)Man-ol, Rha(1–3)Man(1–2)Man-ol, Rha(1–4)GlcA(1–2)Man(1–2)Man-ol, and Rha(1–4)[Rha(1–2)] GlcA(1–2)Man(1–2)Man-ol were characterized based on methylation analysis, proton magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.Abbreviations FAB fast atom bombardment - GLC gas liquid chromatography - GlcA d-glucopyranosyluronic acid - Man d-mannopyranose - Man-ol d-mannitol - MS mass spectrometry - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - Rha l-rhamnopyranose     

Fucosyltransferase expression in human platelets and leucocytes

The activities of -2-l-fucosyltransferase and -3-l-fucosyltransferase were measured in human platelets and leucocytes from normal donors, -2-l-Fucosyltransferase was found in platelets but not in leucocytes. In contrast -3-l-fucosyltransferase was not detected in platelets but was present in leucocytes where it was demonstrated in the neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte fractions.     

Synthesis of FimH receptor-active manno-oligosaccharides by reverse hydrolysis using α-mannosidases from Penicillium citrinum,Aspergillus phoenicis and almond

Recombinant Penicillium citrinum -1,2-mannosidase, expressed in Aspergillus oryzae, was employed to carry out regioselective synthesis of -d-mannopyranosyl-(12)-d-mannose. Yields (w/w) of 16.68% disaccharide, 3.07% trisaccharide and 0.48% tetrasaccharide were obtained, with 12 linkages present at 98.5% of the total linkages formed. Non-specific -mannosidase from almond was highly efficient in reverse hydrolysis and oligosaccharide yields of 45–50% were achieved. The products of the almond mannosidase were a mixture of disaccharides (30.75%, w/w), trisaccharides (12.26%, w/w) and tetrasaccharides (1.89%, w/w) with 12, 13 and 16 isomers. -1,2-linkage specific mannosidase from P. citrinum and -1,6-linkage-specific mannosidase from Aspergillus phoenicis were used in combination to hydrolyse the respective linkages from the mixture of isomers, resulting in -d-mannopyranosyl-(13)-d-mannose in 86.4% purity. The synthesised oligosaccharides can potentially inhibit the adhesion of pathogens by acting as "decoys" of receptors of type-1 fimbriae carried by enterobacteria.     

A missense mutation (G197→A) in theα-l-fucosidase gene of fucosidosis patients leads to loss ofα-l-fucosidase

Fucosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease resulting from the absence of -l-fucosidase activity. Two natural missense mutations (G¹⁹⁷A) and (A⁸⁶⁰G) within the -l-fucosidase gene have been reported to be homozygous in four patients with fucosidosis. Expression of wild-type and mutated -l-fucosidase cDNAs in COS-1 cells revealed complete deficiency of -l-fucosidase for the G¹⁹⁷A transition and a normal level of enzyme for A⁸⁶⁰G. We therefore conclude that the change of G¹⁹⁷A is responsible for fucosidosis in the patients while A⁸⁶⁰G is a normal polymorphic variant of -l-fucosidase.     

ααααanti-3.7 type II: a new α-globin gene rearrangement suggesting that the α-globin gene duplication could be caused by intrachromosomal recombination

Summary We report here a new human -globin gene rearrangement carrying the two normal, 2 and 1, and two hybrid, 1/2, globin genes in the order 5-2-1/2-1/2-1-3. Both the hybrid genes, subtyped with ApaI and RsaI restriction enzymes, were found to be of the uncommon anti 3.7 type II. The hybrid genes were expressed at the biosynthetic level and their interaction with the -thalassaemia IVS 1 nt 1 GA mutation caused thalassaemia intermedia. We also report a case of an -globin gene rearrangement in the twin of one of the -globin gene carriers; the duplicated gene was of the anti 4.2 type and was associated with the absence of RsaI polymorphism. The singular finding of an -anti 3.7 cluster with two identical rare hybrid genes suggests that the reciprocal unequal recombination causing the -globin gene rearrangements could be of the intra-chromosomal rather than the interchromosomal type.     

Amylolytic enzymes produced by a color variant strain ofAureobasidium pullulans

A color variant strain ofAureobasidium pullulans (NRRL Y-12974) produced amylase and -glucosidase activities when grown at 28°C for 4 days in liquid culture on a wide variety of carbon sources such as starch, pullulan, glucose, maltose, cyclodextrins, sucrose, xylose, and xylan. An -glucosidase was separated by Q-Sepharose adsorption from the cell-free culture broth and partially purified by hydroxylapatite and octyl-Sepharose chromatography. After ammonium sulfate treatment of the culture supernatant (obtained after Q-Sepharose adsorption), the amylase fraction was separated into three active fractions by hydroxylapatite column chromatography, which were identified as -amylase, glucoamylase A, and glucoamylase B. The glucoamylase A was further purified by octyl-Sepharose column chromatography. The pH optima for the action of -amylase, glucoamylase A, glucoamylase B, and -glucosidase were 5.0, 4.5, 4.0–4.5, and 4.5, respectively. The -amylase and glucoamylase B were fully stable at pH 3.0–6.0, glucoamylase A at pH 4.5–5.5, and -glucosidase at pH 3.5–7.0 for 1 h at 50°C. The optimum temperatures for the action of these enzymes were 55°, 50°–60°, 65°, and 65°C, respectively. The -amylase, glucoamylase A, and glucoamylase B were adsorbed onto raw corn starch and degraded it. Glucoamylase B readily cleaved pullulan. The -glucosidase was not adsorbed onto raw starch and did not degrade it at all. It hydrolyzed both -1,4 and -1,6 linkages in oligosaccharides. All four enzymes did not require any metal ion for activity and were inhibited by cyclodextrins (-and -, 10mm).     

Carbohydrates of influenza virus. Structure of the oligosaccharides linked to asparagines 406 and 478 in the hemagglutinin of fowl plague virus,strain dutch

Fowl plague virus, strain Dutch, was metabolically labeled withd-[2-³H]mannose, or withd-[6-³H]glucosamine, and the small subunit (HA₂; 0.8 mg in total) of the viral hemagglutinin was isolated by preparative sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After proteolytic digestion, the radioactive oligosaccharides were sequentially liberated from the glycopeptides by treatment with different endo--N-acetylglucosaminidases and with peptide:N-glycosidase or, finally, by hydrazinolysis. In this manner, four groups of glycans could be obtained by consecutive gel filtrations and were subfractionated by HPLC. The structures of the individual oligosaccharides were analyzed by micromethylation, by acetolysis or by digestion with exoglycosidases. The major species amongst the high mannose glycans at Ans-406 of the viral glycopolypeptide were found to be Man1-2Man1-3(Man1-2Man1-6)Man1-6(Man1-2Man1-2Man1-3)Man1-4GlcNac1-4GlcNAc and Man1-3(Man1-2Man1-6)Man1-6(Man1-2Man1-2Man1-3)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc, while the complex glycans at Asn-478 are predominantly GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc (lacking, in part, one of the outerN-acetylglucosamine residues) and GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(Gal1-4GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc.Abbreviation BSA bovine serum albumin - endo D (F,H) endo--N-acetyl-d-glucosaminidase D (F,H) - HA hemagglutinin (HA₁, large subunit of HA - HA₂ small subunit - FPV fowl plague virus - PNGase F peptide:N-glycosidase F - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate     

Synthesis of methyl α-isomalto-oligosaccharides specifically deoxygenated at position 2 of the terminal glycopyranosyl unit

Methyl -isomaltoside and methyl -isomaltotrioside specifically deoxygenated at position C-2 of the terminal glucopyranosyl unit were synthesized by trimethylsilyltriflate-mediated condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-1-O-tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl-2-deoxy--d-arabino-hexopyranose with suitably blocked derivatives of methyl -d-glucopyranoside and methyl -isomaltoside, respectively.To whom correspondence should be addressed.     

α-Thalassemia in Saudi Arabia: deletion pattern

Summary -Thalassemia exists at a high prevalence in several regions of Saudi Arabia. The restriction endonucleases Bam HI and BglII were used to investigate the molecular basis of deletion type of -thalassemia in 226 subjects from the eastern and 61 subjects from the northwestern regions of the country. The arrangements-/ and-/- were common. BglII digestion revealed the existence of rightward deletion in a majority of the cases. Leftward deletions, both homozygous and heterozygous, were also identified. Triple -gene arrangements -/ and -/- were observed at a low frequency in both regions.     

Cation effects on the conformations of muscle and non-muscle α-actinins

We examined the effects of changing KCl concentration on the secondary structures of -actinins using circular dichroism (CD), 1,1-bis(4-anilino) naphthalene-5,5-disulfonic acid (bisANS) fluorescence and proteolysis experiments. Under near-physiological conditions, divalent cations also were added and changes in conformation were investigated. In 25 mm KH₂PO₄, pH 7.5, increasing KCl from 0 to 120 mm led to decreases in -helix conformation for brain, platelet and heart -actinins (40.5-30.2%, 65.5-37.8% and 37.5-27.8%, respectively). In buffered 120 mm KCl, 0.65 mm calcium produced small changes in the CD spectra of both brain and platelet -actinin, but had no effect on heart -actinin. bisANS fluorescence of all three -actinins also showed significant changes in conformation with increasing KCl. However, in buffered 120 mm KCl increasing concentrations of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ did not have significant effects on the bisANS fluorescence of any -actinin. Digestion of brain, platelet and heart -actinins with -chymotrypsin showed an increase of proteolytic susceptibility in 120 mm KCl. These experiments also showed that increasing the concentration of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ led to greater changes in digestion fragment patterns in the absence of KCl than in the presence of 120 mm KCl. The results suggest that -actinins exist in different conformations depending on the ionic strength of the medium, which could explain the differences in calcium and F-actin binding results obtained from different -actinins.     

Study ofO-sialylation of glycoproteins in C6 glioma cells treated with retinoic acid

When treated with retinoic acidin vivo, C6 glioma cells show an enhancement of CMP-Neu5Ac:Gal 1–3 GalNAc-R -2,3 sialyltransferase activity. A 300kDa glycoprotein was detected by lectin affinoblotting in retinoic acid-treated C6 cells which stained weakly or not at all in control cells. Comparative studies with different lectins demonstrated that this glycoprotein contains 2,3 Neu5Ac Gal-GalNAc O-glycan moieties. Cultures in the presence of an inhibitor of O-glycan synthesis (N-acetylgalactosaminide -O-benzyl) demonstrated that enhancement of staining of the 300 kDa glycoprotein was not due to the increase of the 2,3 sialyltransferase but to thede novo synthesis of the polypeptide chain of this glycoprotein.Abbreviations RA retinoic acid - Neu5Ac N-acetylneuraminic acid - CMP-Neu5Ac cytidine 5 monophosphosialate - 2,3 ST CMP-Neu5Ac:Gal 1–3 GalNAc-R -2,3 sialyltransferase - GalNAc-O-benzyl N-acetylgalactosaminide -O-benzyl - Gal1-3GalNAc-O-benzyl Galactosyl 1-3N-acetylgalactosaminide -O-benzyl - TBS Tris-HCl buffer 50mm pH 7.5 containing NaCl 0.15m and Tween 20 0.05% - B1 buffer TBS containing MgCl₂ 1mm, MnCl₂ 1mm and CaCl₂ 1mm     

Mikrochemische Untersuchung der α-d-Glucosidasen mit 4-Methylumbelliferyl-und 2-Naphthyl-α-d-glucosid

Zusammenfassung In Rohhomogenaten aus gefriergetrockneten Kryostat-schnitten von verschiedenen Rattenorganen werden die K _m und V _max der neutralen und sauren -d-Glucosidase bestimmt und der Einfluß von pH, Substrat- und Enzymkonzentration und Inkubationszeit auf die Aktivität fluorometrisch mit 4-Methylumbelliferyl-und 2-Naphthyl--d-glucosid als Substraten ermittelt.Mit den biochemischen Daten werden 2 mikrochemische Ansätze zur fluorometrischen Messung dieser Glykosidasen entwickelt und die saure und neutrale -Glucosidase in Gruppen von Epithelzellen nach Isolierung aus gefriergetrockneten Kryostatschnitten von Nebenhoden, Jejunum, Ilium, Niere und Leber untersucht. Im Vergleich zum 2-Naphthylderivat sind beide -Glucosidasen mit 4-Methylumbelliferyl--d-glucosid weniger aktiv. Allerdings fluoresziert 4-Methylumbelliferon etwa 100mal intensiver als 2-Naphthol, so daß das Methylumbelliferonderivat zur Messung der -Glucosidasen speziell in schwach aktiven Zellen der 2-Naphthylverbindung vorzuziehen ist.

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Microchemical investigation of -d-glucosidases using 4-methylumbelliferyl-and 2-naphthyl--d-glucoside

Summary In crude homogenates prepared from freeze-dried cryostate sections of various rat organs the K _m and V _max of acid and neutral -glucosidase as well as the effect of the pH, substrate and enzyme concentration and the incubation time on the activity were determined fluorometrically with 4-methylumbelliferyl-and 2-naphthyl -d-glucoside as substrates.On the basis of the biochemical data 2 assays were developed for the microchemical measurement of both -glucosidases in groups of epithelial cells isolated from freeze-dried cryostate sections of the epididymis, jejunum, ilium, liver and kidney of suckling and adult rats. The rate of hydrolysis of 2-naphthyl and 4-methylumbelliferyl -d-glucoside differs moderately. However, due to the higher sensitivity of 4-methylumbelliferone the methylumbelliferyl derivative is preferable especially for the evaluation of -d-glucosidases in cells with low enzyme activity.

     

Structure and properties of aCephalosporium acremonium α-galactosidase

The amino acid and sugar composition of the enzyme protein, the effect of urea, sodium dodecyl sulphate and Concanavalin A on the purified -galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) from the moldCephalosporium acremonium has been studied. The results obtained by gas liquid chromatography indicated the presence ofN-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose andN-acetylneuramic acid in the molar proportions 27311. The presence of two types of Asn-linked oligosaccharide structures in the enzyme molecule is assumed. The -galactosidase liberates (1–3), (1–4) and (1–6)-linkedd-galactose units from various synthetic and natural substrates which have been tested. The effects of pH, substrate concentration and temperature on the catalytic activity of the enzyme are described. The purified -galactosidase also exhibited a lectin activity with an affinity towards glucose, and to some extent mannose.Abbreviations p-NPG p-nitrophenyl--d-galactopyranoside - 4-MUG 4-methylumbelliferyl--d-galactopyranoside - HU hemagglutinin unit - PBS phosphate buffered saline - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - ConA Concanavalin A - WGA wheat germ agglutinin - LCA Lens culinaris agglutinin - PHA phytohemagglutinin fromPhaseolus vulgaris     

Synthesis of methyl α- and β-N-dansyl-d-galactosaminides,probes for the combining sites ofN-acetyl-d-galactosamine-specific lectins

The synthesis of the methyl - and -N-dansyl-d-galactosaminides is described using methyl ,-2-azido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranoside as starting material. This was reduced to the corresponding methyl ,-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranoside and then treated with dansyl chloride to yield a mixture of methyl ,-N-dansyl-d-galactosaminides which was separated into individual anomeric forms by flash chromatography on silica gel. Methyl -N-dansyl-d-galactosaminide was used as a fluorescent indicator ligand in continuous substitution titrations to determine the association constants of nonchromophoric carbohydrates with theN-acetyl-d-galactosamine specific lectin fromErythrina corallodendron.Abbreviations ECorL Erythrina corallodendron lectin - MeGalNDns methyl 2-deoxy-2-(5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfamido)--d-galactopyranoside - MeGalNDns methyl 2-deoxy-2-(5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfamido)--d-galactopyranoside Dedicated to Hilde De Boeck (1958–1991).     

α-Thalassemia and the production of different α chain variants in heterozygotes

The production of five chain variants (Hb G-Georgia, Hb St. Luke's, Hb Lloyd, Hb Montgomery, and Hb G-Philadelphia) in heterozygotes was evaluated through hematological observations, hemoglobin quantification, and biosynthetic studies. All heterozygotes for Hb St. Luke's and Hb Lloyd and most heterozygotes with Hb G-Georgia and Hb Montgomery had normal hematology and average / values of about 1.1. They were assigned a normal genotype (^G/), although the proportions of Hb St. Luke's and Hb G-Georgia were low (10 to 13%) and those of Hb Lloyd and Hb Montgomery twice as high (20%). Data from short-term incubations confirmed this genotype for some of these heterozygotes. Isolated Hb St. Luke's and Hb G-Georgia gave low ^G/ values (0.2 and 0.3) indicating that these Hb variants were defective at the level of Hb assembly. Isolated Hb Montgomery and Hb G-Philadelphia, however, gave higher ^G/ values of 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. A second type of variability existed among Hb G-Georgia (20 vs. 13%), Hb Montgomery (28 vs. 20%), and Hb G-Philadelphia (47 vs. 34%) heterozygotes, in whom the levels of Hb G differed. The occurrence of higher levels of these three chain heterozygosities was associated with hematological or biosynthetic evidence of a mild or moderate chain deficiency due to an -thalassemia-2 heterozygosity (^G/⁰ or ^0G/) or a homozygosity (^0G/⁰), respectively.This study was supported in part by USPHS Research Grants HLB-05168 and HLB-15158.     

α-Globin gene deletion causes α-thalassemia syndromes in two German families

Summary Restriction endonuclease mapping of chromosomal DNA has been used to determine whether the -globin gene deletion or non-deletion form of -thalassemia is the underlying molecular defect in individuals of two unrelated German families with -thalassemia syndromes. The obtained DNA pattern in all cases indicated loss of -globin genes resulting in-/,--/, and--/- genotypes in thalassemia-2, -thalassemia-1, and Hb H individuals respectively. The chromosomes showing loss of one -globin gene in -thalassemia-2 and Hb H disease were characterized by the so-called rightward deletion form exhibiting loss of a 3.7 kb DNA fragment in the -gene cluster.