Two different theta (θ) globin gene deletions observed among black newborn babies

Abstract
Two different .theta.1 globin gene deletions have been detected in the Black population of the southeastern U.S.A. Restriction mapping of the .alpha. globin gene cluster indicated that one deletion removes .apprx. 1.8 kb of DNA including most of the .theta.1 globin gene, while the second removes .apprx. 6 kb of DNA including the entire .theta.i globin gene. These defects do not cause haematological alterations in the newborn or in the adult (established for the smaller deletion only), nor were changes observed in polypeptide chain patterns at birth.