Direct demonstration that the A gamma T globin gene is linked to the 4 bp promoter deletion in the beta A chromosome of sickle cell traits.

In beta zero-thalassemia and sickle cell patients, a 4 bp deletion at -222 to -225 of the A gamma globin promoter was associated with low expression of the A gamma T variant (threonine at codon 75 of A gamma), whereas A gamma I (isoleucine at 75) had the normal A gamma promoter and higher expression. However, it has been reported that the beta A chromosomes of sickle cell trait cases have the 4 bp deletion as a common polymorphism unlinked to the A gamma T allele. We now present data demonstrating the association of the A gamma T allele with the 4 bp deletion in beta A chromosomes of sickle cell traits.