Changes in the G gamma- and A gamma-globin mRNA components of fetal hemoglobin during human development

To determine the postnatal developmental changes in (G)gamma- and (A)gamma -globin mRNAs of HbF, blood samples were obtained from 28 pre-term infants born at less than or equal to 33 weeks of gestation (27.9 +/- 2.5), 9 term-born infants and 26 adults. Adult samples were used to determine the relationship between the levels (G)gamma- and (A)gamma -mRNAs of HbF and the-158 (C -->T) variation in the promoter region of the (G)gamma -globin gene. The results showed that (G)gamma -globin mRNA to total gamma -globin mRNAs remained around 66% (66.2 +/- 4) until the 44 week of postconceptual age when a change in the (G)gamma- and (A)gamma -globin mRNA proportions occurred. The immature red cells of adults had a range of (G)gamma -globin mRNA to total gamma -globin mRNAs varying from 20 to 74% (53.1 +/- 16.9). The high levels of (G)gamma -globin mRNA to total gamma -globin mRNAs are associated with the presence of a -158 (C -->T) polymorphism. The gene frequency of polymorphism was 0.32. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.