Molecular Characterization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Jordanians

Background/Aims: In Jordan, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a significant health problem, and the incidence was reported to be about 3.6%. The aims of this study are to investigate the most common molecular mutations of the G6PD gene among Jordanians in northern Jordan and to examine the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of this enzyme deficiency. Methods: Seventy-five blood samples were collected from patients attending King Abdullah University Hospital and Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital. The G6PD gene was scanned for mutations using a DNA sequencing technique. Results: Our results showed 11 variations (7 exonic and 4 intronic) as follows: c.202 G>A (rs1050828), c.376 A>G (rs1050829), c.404 A>C (CM962574 single-nucleotide polymorphism), c. 542 A>T (rs5030872), c.563 C>T (rs5030868), c.1003 G>A (rs5030869), c.1311 C>T (rs2230037), c.486-90 C>T, c.486-60 C>G (rs2515904), c.770+175 C>T (rs2515905) and c.1311 C>T (rs2230037). Among these, G6PD Mediterranean (c. 563 C>T) was the most common in our patients, with a frequency of 76.2%, followed by G6PD A- (c.202 G>A + c.376 A>G) with 19%, and an equal frequency of 1.6% was found for G6PD Chatham (c.1003 G>A), G6PD Santamaria (c.542 A>T + c.376 A>G) and G6PD Cairo (c.404 A>C). Conclusion: This is the first report of G6PD Santamaria and Cairo among our Jordanian population. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel