ASSOCIATION MARKERS FOR BETA THALASSEMIA TRAIT

摘要

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 14 which show a single polymorphic change at position 501, where the wildtype nucleotide is replaced by an indicator nucleotide, respectively. The present invention further relates to the mentioned nucleic acid molecules wherein a panel of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 of the polymorphic, changed sequences comprising the mentioned indicator nucleotides constitutes a marker for beta thalassemia, in particular of beta thalassemia minor. Further envisaged are specific panels comprising SEQ ID NO: 1; or SEQ ID NO 1 and 2; or SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 and 3, or SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3 and 4; or SEQ ID NO: 1 to 5; or SEQ ID NO: 1 to 6; or SEQ ID NO: 1 to 7; or SEQ ID NO: 1 to 14; or SEQ ID NO: 8 and 14; or SEQ ID NO: 8 and 9; or SEQ ID NO: 2, 4 and 13. The present invention further relates to a method of detecting or diagnosing beta thalassemia, preferably of beta thalassemia minor, in a subject, comprising the steps of: (a) isolating a nucleic acid from a subject's sample, (b) determining the nucleotide sequence and/or molecular structure present at one or more of the mentioned polymorphic sites, wherein the presence of an indicator nucleotide indicative of the presence of beta thalassemia. Also envisaged are a corresponding composition for detecting or diagnosing beta thalassemia, the use of the mentioned nucleic acid molecules for detecting or diagnosing beta thalassemia or for screening a population for the presence of beta thalassemia, as well as a corresponding kit. The methods, compositions, uses and kits of the invention also relate to the assessment of the risk of developing beta thalassemia in a subject and/or in a subject's progeny.