Analysis of the human alpha-globin gene cluster reveals a highly informative genetic locus.

Abstract
Extensive molecular studies have characerized 15 dimorphic and 2 multiallelic genetic markers within the human .alpha.-globulin gene cluster. Analysis of these markers in 9 populations has shown that the .alpha.-globin locus is remarkably polymorphic and is therefore an ideal marker on chromosome 16 for the contruction of a human genetic linkage map. The combined analysis of 9 polymorphic markers has established .alpha.-globulin haplotypes that provide the means to study the molecular genetics and common mutants of this cluster. The novel association of a conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotype and linked, hypervariable regions of DNA should allow a comparison of the rate of change of such markers.