Genetic Variants in HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 and rs11759553 Associated with Elevated HbF Levels Among Filipino β°-deletion Carriers

Authors

  • Lai Kuan Teh Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
  • Koh Sam Yu Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
  • Shi Min Chua Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
  • Elizabeth George Assunta Hospital,Selangor Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor
  • Mei I Lai Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Lily Wong Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Abstract

In Malaysia, Sabah population constitutes the most number of β-thalassaemia cases ranging from asymptomatic to transfusion dependent. Filipino β°-deletion has been reported as the predominant mutation in Sabah [1]. Despite having the same primary mutation, co-inheritance of genetic variants at HbF quantitative trait loci of HBS1L-MYB intergenic region may cause variability in clinical features by affecting the haemoglobin (Hb) subtypes level, especially HbF. Study suggested that MYB would activate γ-globin repressor gene directly and subsequently initiate the molecular HbF repression mechanisms. Polymorphisms within HBS1L-MYB intergenic region would inhibit binding of transcription factor on MYB and leading to elevation of HbF levels [2]. This can act as an ameliorating factor in the clinical presentation of β-thalassaemia patients [3]. This study aimed to elucidate the association of Hb subtypes levels with three HBS1L-MYB variants among 134 Filipino β°-deletion carriers. PCR-RFLP analysis was done for HBSIL-MYB rs4895441 (A→G) while tetra-primers ARMS PCR analysis was done for HBSIL-MYB rs9399137 (T→C) and rs11759553 (A→T) (Fig.1). 

Through the genotyping analysis, two HBS1L-MYB variants (rs9399137, MAF = 0.18 and rs11759553, MAF = 0.190) were found with significant minor allele frequency (MAF) which is greater than .05. HBS1L-MYB rs4895441 showed no influential effect on Hb subtypes level. However, rs9399137 and rs11759553 showed significant different in HbF level. HbF level was elevated when Filipino β°-deletion carriers co-inherited with HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 or rs11759553 (Fig.2). 

In conclusion, HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 and rs11759553 are significantly in elevating HbF levels which are not seen in rs4895441, making it a potent therapeutic target for gene therapy. The significant difference in Hb subtypes levels across the genotype variants had suggested the importance to include the detection of HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 and rs11759553 among Filipino β°-deletion patients in order to provide proper patient management. 

Author Biographies

  • Lai Kuan Teh, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

    Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Perak, Malaysia

  • Koh Sam Yu, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
    Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Shi Min Chua, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
    Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Elizabeth George, Assunta Hospital,Selangor Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor

    Assunta Hospital, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

  • Mei I Lai, Universiti Putra Malaysia

    Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

  • Lily Wong, Hospital Queen Elizabeth

    Department of Medicine, Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

References

Teh, L. K., et al., Molecular basis of transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia major patients in Sabah. Journal of Human Genetics. 2014. 59: p. 119-123.

Stadhouders, R., et al., HBS1L-MYB intergenic variants modulate fetal hemoglobin via long-range MYB enhancers. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2014.124(4): p. 1699-1710.

Cyrus, C., et al., Existence of HbF enhancer haplotypes at HBS1L-MYB intergenic region in transfusion-dependent Saudi β-thalassemia patients. BioMed Research International, 2017. p. 1-7.

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Published

2018-02-02

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Section

Extended Abstracts for GG2020 Conference 2017