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β S gene in sicily is in linkage disequilibrium with the benin haplotype: Implications for gene flow
Author(s) -
Ragusa Angela,
Lombardo Mario,
Sortino Grazia,
Lombardo Turi,
Nagel Ronald L.,
Labie Dominique
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830270214
Subject(s) - haplotype , gene flow , sicilian , genetics , linkage disequilibrium , gene , gene cluster , biology , sickle cell anemia , gene pool , allele , genetic variation , population , cell , genetic diversity , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health
Hemoglobin β‐like gene cluster haplotypes defined by restriction enzyme polymorphic sites are useful in determining the origin of the β S gene found in several human populations. We present here evidence that the β S gene found among Sicilians is associated with the same haplotype observed among sickle cell anemia patients from Central West Africa. In addition, this haplotype is either nonexistent or very rare among normal Sicilian individuals. We conclude that the β S gene was introduced to Sicily from North Africa and that the gene flow originated in Central West Africa and traveled north through historically well‐defined trans‐Saharan commercial routes.