Abstract
β-globin gene haplotypes were determined for 196 normal (β-A) and 419 thalassaemia (β-Th) chromosomes of individuals from four different regions of the Indian subcontinent; North-west Pakistan, Gujarat, Punjab and Sindh. Analysis of β-A and β-Th haplotypes and haplotype-mutation associations in each regional group along with a consideration of Indian history provided information about the origin and spread of β-thalassaemia mutations on the Indian subcontinent. The data are consistent with relatively recent and local origins for most β-thalassaemia mutations. The frequencies of particular alleles differ markedly in various regions and these may be useful population markers. Of the high frequency alleles, intervening sequence 1 (IVS-1) nucleotide 5 (G-C) and codons 41/42 (-CTTT) appear to be older as suggested by multiple haplotype associations and a widespread geographical distribution. The microepidemiology of β-thalassaemia in this region reflects considerable ethnic diversity, gene flow from population migration and natural selection by malaria infection.
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Varawalla, N.Y., Fitches, A.C. & Old, J.M. Analysis of β-globin gene haplotypes in Asian Indians: origin and spread of β-thalassaemia on the Indian subcontinent. Hum Genet 90, 443–449 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220475
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220475