Alpha-globin gene haplotypes in South American Indians.: An article from: Human Biology

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From the author: The haplotypes of the [Alpha]-globin gene cluster were determined for 99 Indians from the Brazilian Amazon region who belong to 5 tribes: Wayampi, Wayana-Apalai, Kayapo, Arara, and Yanomami. Three predominant haplotypes were identified: Ia (present in 38.9% of chromosomes), IIIa (25.8%), and IIe (22.1%). The only [Alpha]-globin gene rearrangement detected was [[Alpha][Alpha][Alpha].sub.3.7] I gene triplication associated with haplotype IIIa, found in high frequencies (5.6% and 10.6%) in two tribes and absent in the others. [Alpha]-Globin gene deletions that cause [Alpha]-thalassemia were not seen, supporting the argument that malaria was absent in these populations until recently. The heterogeneous distribution of [Alpha]-globin gene haplotypes and rearrangements among the different tribes differs markedly from the homogeneous distribution of [Beta]-globin gene cluster haplotypes and reflects the action of various genetic mechanisms (genetic drift, founder effect, consanguinity) on small isolated population groups with a complicated history of divergence-fusion events. The [Alpha]-globin gene haplotype distribution has some similarities to distributions observed in Southeast Asian and Pacific Island populations, indicating that these populations have considerable genetic affinities. However, the absence of several features of the [Alpha]-globin gene cluster that are consistently present among the Pacific Islanders suggests that the similarity of haplotypes between Brazilian Indians and people from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia is more likely the result of ancient common ancestry rather than the consequence of recent direct genetic contribution through immigration.

Citation Details
Title: Alpha-globin gene haplotypes in South American Indians.
Author: Marco A. Zago
Publication:Human Biology (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 1995
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Volume: v67 Issue: n4 Page: p535(12)

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