Abstract:
We have investigated the genetic basis for the Hp0 phenotype amongst 123 randomly selected Ghanaians. A total of 17 individuals were determined to be Hp0 phenotype, based on the classical method for Hp phenotyping of Hb-supplemented plasma. Out of the 17 Hp0 individuals, nine subjects were further classified as ahaptoglobinaemic and eight as hypohaptoglobinaemic byWestern blots and double immunodiffusion.We identified three previously known base substitutions (Aÿ55G, Aÿ61C and Tÿ104A) and three new ones (Cÿ101G, Tÿ191G and Cÿ242T) within the 50 flanking region of the Hp gene. The Aÿ61C base substitution significantly decreased transcriptional activity and was associated strongly with Hp2 allele and ahaptoglobinaemia. The Cÿ101G substitution was similar in transcriptional activity to the wild-type and was associated with Hp1S allele and hypohaptoglobinaemia. The Hpdel allele seen in Asian populations was absent. We conclude that the Hp0 phenotype in Ghana has a genetic basis that differs significantly from that seen in Asia.
