Unexpectedly, they found that HBA1/2 genes encoding the protein alpha-globin, one of the subunits of hemoglobin, were highly expressed in the upper epidermis of human skin.

Alpha-thalassemia minima/silent carrier: Only one of your four alpha-globin genes is affected. You generally won’t have any symptoms and may not have any noticeable laboratory findings.

This is called alpha-thalassemia disease or hemoglobin H disease. Depending on the type of gene mutations a child inherits, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Hemoglobin Barts disease.