THE SICKLE GENE POLYMORPHISM IN NORTH-AFRICA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (3) , 599-601
Abstract
Analysis of the restriction endonuclease Hpa 1-.beta. globin gene linkage was performed in a predominantly Arab population of North Africa possessing the sickle (.beta.S) gene. In normal controls, the .beta. globin (.beta.A) gene is found associated with a 7.6 kilobase (kb) or 7.0 kb Hpa 1 fragment (54/54 assignable .beta.A genes). The .beta.S gene is found associated with a 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment (42/42 assignable .beta.S genes). A very tight linkage of the .beta.S gene to the 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment and a very low probability that a .beta.A gene will be found on a 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment are demonstrated. The North African population presents a nearly ideal opportunity for prenatal diagnosis solely by Hpa 1-.beta. globin gene linkage analysis. The .beta.S gene evidently flowed from West Africa rather than from Arab populations in the Middle East.

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