Hemoglobin variants are mutant forms of

hemoglobin Hemoglobin (haemoglobin BrE) (from the Greek word αἷμα, ''haîma'' 'blood' + Latin ''globus'' 'ball, sphere' + ''-in'') (), abbreviated Hb or Hgb, is the iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein present in red blood cells (erythrocyt ...

in a

population Population typically refers to the number of people in a single area, whether it be a city or town, region, country, continent, or the world. Governments typically quantify the size of the resident population within their jurisdiction using a ...

, caused by variations in genetics. Some well-known hemoglobin variants such as

sickle-cell anemia Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person's parents. The most common type is known as sickle cell anaemia. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red bl ...

are responsible for diseases, and are considered hemoglobinopathies. Other variants cause no detectable

pathology Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used i ...

, and are thus considered non-pathological variants. Some normal hemoglobin types are; Hemoglobin A (Hb A), which is 95–98% of hemoglobin found in adults, Hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2), which is 2–3% of hemoglobin found in adults, and Hemoglobin F (Hb F), which is found in adults up to 2.5% and is the primary hemoglobin that is produced by the fetus during pregnancy. Hemoglobin variants occur when there are genetic changes in specific genes, or globins, that cause changes or alterations in the

amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha a ...

. They could affect the structure, behavior, the production rate, and/or the stability of that specific gene. Usually there are four genes that code for alpha globin and two genes that code for beta globin. If the genes for alpha chains is mutated, the most common condition that occurs is alpha

thalassemia Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders characterized by decreased hemoglobin production. Symptoms depend on the type and can vary from none to severe. Often there is mild to severe anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin). Anemia can resul ...

, which causes a decrease in production of that gene. The level of severity of alpha thalassemia is determined by the number of genes that are affected. Hemoglobin variants are most often inherited characteristics. First, abnormal beta gene can be inherited in an

autosomal recessive In genetics, dominance is the phenomenon of one variant (allele) of a gene on a chromosome masking or overriding the effect of a different variant of the same gene on the other copy of the chromosome. The first variant is termed dominant an ...

fashion. This means that the person who inherits this will have two copies of the altered gene. Both of these genes can be passed to offspring. The next way they can be inherited is in a

heterozygous Zygosity (the noun, zygote, is from the Greek "yoked," from "yoke") () is the degree to which both copies of a chromosome or gene have the same genetic sequence. In other words, it is the degree of similarity of the alleles in an organism. Mo ...

fashion. This means that the person has one normal beta gene and one abnormal beta gene. This person is considered to be a carrier of whichever hemoglobin variant is inherited. Only the abnormal gene can be passed on to offspring in this case. Carriers also do not have to deal with having symptoms or any health concerns. Another way that beta genes can be inherited is in a

homozygous Zygosity (the noun, zygote, is from the Greek "yoked," from "yoke") () is the degree to which both copies of a chromosome or gene have the same genetic sequence. In other words, it is the degree of similarity of the alleles in an organism. Mo ...

fashion. This means that the person has two abnormal beta genes. In this case the person produces the associated hemoglobin variant and may have the symptoms and complications that are associated with they specific hemoglobin variant they have. The severity of the conditions mainly depend on the

genetic mutation In biology, a mutation is an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA. Viral genomes contain either DNA or RNA. Mutations result from errors during DNA or viral replication, mitosi ...

and it may vary from person to person. The copies of the abnormal beta genes would more than likely be passed to offspring. Along with lengthy list of common hemoglobin variants, there are some variants that are less common. These variants are considered silent, which means that they have no signs or symptoms. They usually affect the functionality and/or the stability of the hemoglobin molecule. With most of these variants are mutations in the alpha globin gene that result in an abnormally long alpha chain and an unstable hemoglobin molecules. Hemoglobin F is the primary hemoglobin produced by the fetus. The hemoglobin transports

oxygen Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as ...

efficiently in a low oxygen environment. The hemoglobin production stops at birth and decreases to adult levels by the age of one or two. The levels can be normal to increased in beta thalassemia. Hemoglobin F frequently increases in individuals with

sickle cell Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person's parents. The most common type is known as sickle cell anaemia. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red bl ...

anemia Anemia or anaemia (British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, or a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin. When anemia comes on slowly, ...

and sickle cell-beta thalassemia. Individuals with sickle cell and increase of Hb F have a milder case of the disease. There are situations where the Hb F is increased. This rare condition is called Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH). This is a group of disorders where the Hemoglobin F is increased without signs or clinical features of thalassemia. Some different ethnic groups have different mutations that cause HPFH. Hb F can also be increase by acquired conditions that involve the red blood cells. Elevated Hemoglobin F levels are also associated with

Leukemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ...

and myeloproliferative disorders. Hemoglobin H increases the affinity for oxygen. This means that it holds onto the oxygen instead of releasing it into tissue and cells. Hb H usually occurs in some alpha thalassemia and is composed of four beta globin (protein) chains. This variant is usually produced in response to a severe shortage of alpha chains, and usually cause beta chains to function abnormally.

List of hemoglobin variant examples

* Hb Bassett * Hb Kansas * Hb S * Hb C * Hb E * Hb D-Punjab * Hb O-Arab * Hb G-Philadelphia * Hb Hasharon * Hb Kirklareli - In humans, the Hb-Kirklareli mutation hemoglobin has ~80,000 times greater affinity for carbon monoxide over oxygen resulting in systemic carboxyhemoglobin reaching a sustained level of 16% COHb. This is as compared to approximately 240 times greater CO affinity over O2 in Hb A. * Hb Lepore * Hb M * Hb F * Hb Hope * Hb Pisa * Hb J * Hb Barts * Hb N-Baltimore * Hemoglobin Chesapeake * Hemoglobin Louisville * Hemoglobin Vanvitelli

References

External links

A syllabus of hemoglobin variants
{{Hemeproteins Red blood cell disorders Genetic disorders with no OMIM Hemoglobins Respiratory physiology