A new Variant, Hb Muscat [α2β232(B14)Leu→val] Observed in Association With Hb S in an Arabian Family

The silent Hb Muscat with a Leu→Val replacement at position β32 was discovered by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography in two members of an Arabian family from Oman; in one person Hb Muscat occurred with Hb S and in the other with Hb A. Hb Muscat is slightly unstable but its presence has no apparent adverse effect on the health of its carriers. Additional hemoglobin abnormalities observed in this family were a common a-thal-assemia-2 (-3.7 kb) and Hb S. The βS haplotypes in the heterozygous carriers and the two sickle cell anemia patients were #19 (Benin) and #20 (Bantu); the latter likely originated from an East African population.