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Polymorphism and distribution of the Secretor α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase gene in various Taiwanese populations
Author(s) -
Yu LungChih,
Chu ChenChung,
Chan YungSyu,
Chang ChingYi,
Twu YuhChing,
Lee HuiLin,
Lin Marie
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2001.41101279.x
Subject(s) - allele , fucosyltransferase , genetics , biology , genotype , phenotype , gene , polymorphism (computer science) , population , allele frequency , medicine , environmental health
BACKGROUND: The Secretor gene ( Se or FUT2 ), which produces α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase, exhibits extensive polymorphism. Six Se genes, including the weak Se ( Se w or Se 385 ) and three nonsecretor alleles ( se 571 , se 685 , and s e 849 ) have been detected in various populations of Taiwan. The distribution of various Lewis phenotypes among the Taiwanese population groups has been shown to vary considerably. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A PCR‐RFLP analysis system, which was based on the nucleotide polymorphism variation of the different Se alleles and which can reveal the Se genotype of an individual easily and accurately, was developed. The distribution of the Se alleles among Taiwanese population groups, including the two major populations, Minnan and Hakka Taiwanese, and 11 indigenous groups, was analyzed by the method. RESULTS: Frequencies of the Se alleles among the Taiwanese populations were revealed. The distribution of the nonsecretor alleles, especially se 849 , showed a marked variation. A good correlation was observed between a person's Se genotype and Lewis phenotype. CONCLUSION: The Se genes have a polymorphic distribution among various Taiwanese populations, and this agrees with previous results for Lewis phenotype distributions. The Se w allele and the three se alleles are responsible for the Le(a+b+) and Le(a+b–) phenotypes, respectively.