Abstract
The proportions of Gγ and Aγ globins in hemoglobin F were determined in fetuses around the 20th week of gestation, newborns, and children 3 weeks to 5 months of age. In the last group, the Gγ/Gγ + Aγ ratio decreased continously; there was a good correlation between the decline of Gγ with respect to total γ and the decline of Hb F (r=0.88). In contrast, there was virtually no difference in the γ globin composition of Hb F between the fetuses and the newborns, i.e. in late pregnancy, the decrease in the synthesis of both γ globins appears to be proportionate. The Gγ and Aγ globin genes may be inactivated in a sigmoidal fashion with time, thus producing a Gγ/Gγ + Aγ ratio which at first changes only slightly and then declines linearily.
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Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Je 56/10)
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Jensen, M., Attenberger, H., Schneider, C. et al. The developmental change in the Gγ and Aγ globin. Proportions in hemoglobin F. Eur J Pediatr 138, 311–314 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442505
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442505