In this regards the increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein (hsp60) and the decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein (prohibitin2) seen in severe cases of β°-thalassemia/Hb E at day 10 of differentiation would appear to correlate with the main physiopathological process in severe cases of β°-thalassemia/Hb E. The gene discussed is GSTM1; the disease is thalassemia.