Ten novel mutations in the erythroid transcription factor KLF1 gene associated with increased fetal hemoglobin levels in adults

Haematologica. 2012 Mar;97(3):340-3. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2011.055442. Epub 2011 Nov 18.

Abstract

We investigated whether mutations in the KLF1 gene are associated with increased Hb F levels in ethnically diverse patients referred to our laboratory for hemoglobinopathy investigation. Functionally effective KLF1 mutations were identified in 11 out of 131 adult samples with an elevated Hb F level (1.5-25.0%). Eleven different mutations were identified, 9 of which were previously unreported. KLF1 mutations were not identified in a matched cohort of 121 samples with normal Hb F levels (<1.0%). A further novel KLF1 mutation was also found in a sickle cell disease patient with a Hb F level of 20.3% who had a particularly mild phenotype. Our results indicate KLF1 mutations could make a significant contribution to Hb F variance in malarial regions where hemogobinopathies are common. All the mutations identified were heterozygous providing further in vivo evidence that a single altered KLF1 allele is sufficient to increase Hb F levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / genetics
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Fetal Hemoglobin / metabolism*
  • Gene Order
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genotype
  • Hemoglobinopathies / genetics*
  • Hemoglobinopathies / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • erythroid Kruppel-like factor
  • Fetal Hemoglobin