MELANESIANS AND POLYNESIANS SHARE A UNIQUE ALPHA-THALASSEMIA MUTATION

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (3) , 571-580
Abstract
Several genetic markers that provide information on population migrations and affinities were detected by studies of proteins and cellular antigens in blood. Analysis of DNA polymorphisms promises to yield many further population markers, and the distribution of a new .alpha.-globin gene deletion (-.alpha.3.7III) detected by a restriction enzyme mapping is reported. This is found frequently in Melanesians and Polynesians but not in 5 other populations in which .alpha.-thalassemia is prevalent. Restriction enzyme haplotype analysis was used to support a single origin for this mutation and it could be a useful population marker. Its geographical distribution supports a route through Island Melanesia for the colonizers of Polynesia.