Premium
A family study of the Chinese Rh null individual of the regulator type: a novel single missense mutation identified in RHAG gene
Author(s) -
Tian Li,
Song Ning,
Yao ZhiQiang,
Huang Mei,
Hou Li
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2011.03218.x
Subject(s) - genetics , null allele , missense mutation , biology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genomic dna , mutation , exon , mutant
BACKGROUND: Rh null is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, and Rh null of the regulator type may result from mutation of the RHAG gene, which encodes RhAG glycoprotein and modulates Rh antigen expression. This study described the molecular genetic analysis of a Chinese Rh null family and identified a novel mutation in the RHAG gene. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBCs from the Rh null family members were analyzed for Rh phenotype by standard methods. DNA sequences of all 10 exons of RHAG gene were analyzed using genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Genomic DNA analyses showed that a 672C>A mutation in Exon 5 of the RHAG gene was present at the homozygous state in DH and at the heterozygous state in the other members of the Rh null family. The 672C>A missense mutation converted serine into arginine at Position 224 in the Transmembrane Segment 7 of RhAG glycoprotein. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that the 672C>A missense mutation in the RHAG gene could result in Rh null of the regulator type, and the single‐amino‐acid change (Ser to Arg) might be critical for assembly of the Rh antigen complex within the membrane.