Abnormal hemoglobins associated with the beta-globin gene in Antalya province, Turkey

Materials and methods: The present study identified the abnormal hemoglobins associated with the beta-globin gene using different molecular genetic techniques following high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results. We studied 972 postnatal and 361 prenatal cases (total: 1333 cases, 2666 chromosomes) with the disorder from 1998 up to July 2008. DNA extraction from peripheral blood, chorionic villi samples (CVS), amniotic cells, and cord blood samples was carried out using standard procedures. Following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplification of the betaglobin gene, allele refractory mutation system (ARMS), reverse dot blot hybridization (RDBH), Nanochip, and DNA sequencing were performed to identify the mutations. Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) analysis was used for elimination of maternal contamination in prenatal diagnosis. We identified and characterized abnormal hemoglobin variants with novel and rare beta-thalassemic mutations.