The gamma-delta-beta-globin gene region in G gamma-beta +-hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin

We report restriction endonuclease analysis of the gamma-delta-beta-globin gene region in a mother and child heterozygous for G gamma-beta +-hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). The affected chromosome in these persons directs the production of G gamma-chains and beta-chains but not A gamma-chains. DNA was digested with several restriction enzymes and was examined for gamma, delta, beta sequences by blot hybridization. Only normal digestion fragments were present. By sensitive methods, we were unable to detect a deletion in the entire gamma-delta-beta-globin gene region of the affected chromosome, indicating that in this family, G gamma-beta +-HPFH is not due to a large deletion.