Red cell antigen,serum protein,and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in inhabitants of the Jimi Valley,Western Highlands,New Guinea

Summary A series of blood samples from four villages in the Jimi Valley, Western New Guinea Highlands, has been tested for genetic variation in blood group, serum protein, and red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the ABO, MNS, P, and Rh blood group systems, for the Hp and Tf serum protein systems, and for the acid phosphatase, 6-PGD, PGM, MDH, and ADA enzyme systems. One each of the following variants was detected: Ge(a-), G6PD deficient, AK2-1 and PHI 7-1 or 8-1. All samples tested were C^w-, K-, Kp(a-), Wr(a-), Fy)a+b-), Rd-, and LDH normal.Genetic distance analysis places the Jimi Valley populations closer to peoples of the Chimbu-Chuave and Wahgi-Hagen areas than to the Maring people of the Simbai Valley to the north.     

Red cell antigen, serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in Eastern Highlanders of New Guinea

A series of 1,187 blood samples from eight population groups in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea were tested for genetic variation in blood groups, serum proteins and red cell enzyme systems. The populations belonged to the language groups Gahuku-Asarc-Bena Bena, Kamano, Yagaria, Keiagana, Fore, Agarabe, Auyana and Tairora. Polymorphic variation was found in the ABO, MNS, P1, Rh, Hp, Tf, SEP, 6-PGD, ADA, MDH, and PGM genetic systems. East to West variation was shown in the language groups; the O, S, R2, and R0 genes increase in frequency from East to West and the A, R1, and M genes decrease in the same direction. In the East higher frequencies were found for the Du antigen, for the PGM21 gene and for a PGM second locus variant. The MDH 3 variant was found in all the populations, its highest value being in the Tairora.     

The genetic demography of the Gainj of Papua New Guinea. I. Local differentiation of blood group,red cell enzyme,and serum protein allele frequencies

Allele frequencies are reported for 19 blood group, red cell enzyme, and serum protein loci (ABO, Rh, MN, Hb-A, LDH-A, LDH-B, SOD, PGM-1, PGM-2, 6PGD, GPT, ESD, ADA, ACP, PGK, MDH, Alb, Hp, and Tf) determined from 310 blood samples collected among the Gainj, a small population of tribal horticulturalists from highland Papua New Guinea. Fourteen of these loci display genetic variants, and ten of them are sufficiently polymorphic to permit a preliminary analysis of Gainj population structure. Patterns of variation among subdivisions of the population are analyzed using an approach analogous to a multivariate analysis of variance with unbalanced design, and weighted genetic distances are extracted from the results. The distance analysis indicates that patterns of genetic variation within this population reflect the geographical distribution of subdivisions, as well as subdivision size and movement among subdivisions. A parallel analysis of the Gainj and two other tribal groups from highland New Guinea, the Murapin Enga and the Simbai Valley Maring, suggests that the Gainj are both genetically divergent from neighboring populations and internally highly differentiated.     

Blood group, serum protein and red cell enzyme groups of Amerindian populations in Colombia

Red cell samples from persons belonging to four Amerindian linguistic groups in Colombia were investigated for genetic variants in eight blood group systems: for three of the groups investigations were extended to ten red cell enzyme and four serum protein systems. The groups studied are the Noanama (including six Empera) of the Rio Siquirisua and Rio Docampado on the Pacific lowlands and the Cofan, Ingano and Siona Indians of the Upper Rio Putumayo and its tributaries to the east of the Andes. Only blood group O was present among two of the groups and the same groups were 100% Kp(b +), k in the Kell system. Di(a +) frequencies were high in three groups and there was marked variation between groups for the MNS, Rh, P, Lewis and Duffy systems. Polymorphism in all the three linguistic groups studied for serum proteins and red cell enzymes was present only in the red cell acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase (locus-1) and haptoglobin systems. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was polymorphic in the Noanama, and caeruloplasmin was polymorphic in the Ingano linguistic group. In addition two persons belonging to the Cofan linguistic group revealed the presence of an “atypical” component in the lactate dehydrogenase system. No variation was found in the other six red cell enzyme and two serum protein systems. Comparison with published data on red cell enzyme and serum protein groups for other South American Amerindian populations shows the Colombian populations studied here most closely resemble the Cayapo of Brazil.     

Genetic polymorphisms in the Kuwaiti Arabs

Blood samples were collected from 162 Kuwaiti Arabs. These samples were typed for the ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell and Duffy blood group systems, serum protein haptoglobins, the red cell isoenzymes acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase (locus 1), adenylate kinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and the lactate and malate dehydrogenase variants. Comparisons were made with serological findings for other Arab populations in the Arabian peninsula.     

Some hereditary blood factors of the Bengali Muslim of Bangladesh (red cell enzymes, haemoglobins, and serum proteins).

In a sample of Bengali Muslems from Dacca, haptoglobin, group-specific component, haemoglobin, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, acid phosphatase and several other red cell enzyme types were studied. For most serum protein and red cell enzyme systems the gene frequencies are similar to those in other populations to the west of Bangladesh, but others suggest affinity with populations to the east.     

Genetic studies on the Asmat population (Irian-Jaya, Indonesia)

The Asmat are a population of about 35,000 people living on the South-West coast of Irian-Jaya (Indonesia; New Guinea). This paper presents the results of enzyme group and serum protein group typings in a sample of Asmats living in the coastal region around Agats. Red cell enzyme polymorphisms (EaP, PGM1, 6-PGD, EsD, ADA and AK) could be typed in 154 blood samples, serum protein polymorphisms (Ge, alpha 1-AT, PLG, Tf and Hp) in 160 blood samples. The results of this study are discussed in detail.     

Malate dehydrogenase types in the Asian-Pacific area,and a description of new phenotypes

A survey of more than 21 000 haemolysates from blood samples collected in various parts of south and southeast Asia, Australasia and the Western Pacific and examined in this laboratory has revealed several new alleles controlling variants of sMDH; in addition, further information has been provided on the distribution of sMDH3 in New Guinea. Two of the variant alleles, sMDH3 and sMDH6, achieve polymorphic frequency in various populations. sMDH3 is widely distributed in New Guinea, with highest frequencies in the Eastern Highlands. The pattern of its distribution suggests the mutant arose originally in a Papuan-speaking population. So far, sMDH6 has been detected only in Micronesians from a number of islands in the Carolines. A single example of another new variant, sMDH 5-1, and two examples of a slow variant, sMDH 7-1, were detected in samples from Iran and Singapore, respectively. No examples of mMDH variants were found in a total of 652 placental extracts from Papua New Guinea and Australia.     

The distribution of red cell enzyme and serum protein groups in a population of Dani (Pit River,West Irian)

Summary Blood samples from a series of Dani speaking persons from Pit River, West Irian have been studied for genetic variants in 14 red cell enzyme and 5 serum protein systems. Four of the red cell enzyme systems were polymorphic: acid phosphatase, 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, adenosine deaminase and phosphoglucomutase (locus 1). Two of the serum protein systems, haptoglobin and transferrin, were polymorphic. In the other systems three MDH New Guinea-1 variants were detected and two persons with variants, one MS and one SS, in the protease inhibitor system were detected also. An unusual variant in the PGM (locus 2) system has not yet been adequately identified. All other systems were monomorphic.

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Zusammenfassung Blutproben einer Anzahl Dani-sprechender Personen des Pit River-Gebietes in West-Irian wurden auf genetische Varianten in 14 Erythrocytenenzym- und 5 Serumprotein-Systemen untersucht. 4 der Erythrocytenenzym-Systeme waren polymorph: Saure Phosphatase, 6PGD, Adenosindeaminase und Phospho-glucomutase₁. Zwei der Serum-protein-Systeme, Haptoglobin und Transferrin, waren polymorph. In den anderen Systemen wurden 3 MDH New Guinea-1-Varianten gefunden, ebenso wie 2 Personen mit Varianten, 1 MS und 1 SS, im Pi-System. Eine ungewöhnliche Variante im PGM₂-System ist noch nicht ausreichend bestimmt worden. Alle anderen Systeme waren monomorph.

     

Frequency of private electrophoretic variants and indirect estimates of mutation rate in Papua New Guinea.

Data on rare and private electrophoretic variants have been used to estimate mutation rates for populations belonging to 55 language groups in Papua New Guinea. Three different methods yield values of 1.42 x 10(-6), 1.40 x 10(-6), and 5.58 x 10(-6)/locus per generation. The estimates for three islands populations off the north coast of New Guinea--Manus, Karkar, and Siassi--are much lower. The variability in mutation rates estimated from rare electrophoretic variants as a function of population size is discussed. The mean mutation rate in Papua New Guinea is less than half the estimates obtained for Australian Aborigines and Amerindians.     

Red cell and serum protein polymorphisms in Sardinia

Four Sardinian population samples, from the provinces of Cagliari, Oristano, Nuoro and Sassari, were studied with regard to the erythrocyte enzyme systems ACP, ESD, PGM1, ADA, AK, 6PGD and Dia, and to the serum protein systems GC and C3. The findings showed a rather high degree of genetic heterogeneity of the Sardinians compared to the other populations from the Mediterranean area (Continental Italy, Sicily, Spain, North Africa).     

The distribution of serum protein and enzyme groups among the Batak of Samosir Island (Sumatra,Indonesia)

Summary 188 blood samples from Batak of Samosir Island (Sumatra, Indonesia) have been studied for electrophoretic variants of haemoglobin, 14 red cell enzyme and 5 serum protein systems. The acid phosphatase, 6 PGD, PGM₁ and ADA enzyme systems are polymorphic, and a single AK 2-1 person was detected. Polymorphism is present in the haptoglobin, transferrin and protease inhibitor systems. Two variant alleles, Tf ^Dchi and Tf ^B are present in the transferrin system, but the B variant has not been identified. Similarly, 3 persons with caeruloplasmin variants were found, but also these variants have not been identified. No abnormal haemoglobins were detected. All other systems revealed the presence of only normal phenotypes.

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Zusammenfassung 188 Blutproben des Batak-Stammes von Samosir Island (Sumatra, Indonesien) wurden auf elektrophoretische Varianten des Hämoglobins in 14 Erythrocyten-enzym-und 5 Serumprotein-Systemen untersucht. Die Saure Phosphatase, 6GPD, PGM₁ und ADA-Systeme sind polymorph, und eine einzige AK 2-1-Person wurde gefunden. In den Haptoglobin-, Transferrin- und Pi-Systemen treten Polymorphismen auf. Zwei abweichende Allele, Tf ^Dchi und Tf ^B, sind im Transferrin-System zu finden, aber die B-Variante ist nicht bestimmt worden. Ebenso wurden 3 Personen mit Ceruloplasmin-Varianten gefunden, doch auch diese Varianten wurden nicht identifiziert. Keine abnormen Hämoglobine wurden gefunden. Alle anderen Systeme wiesen nur normale Phenotypen auf.

     

Distribution of polymorphic traits in Mazandaranian and Guilanian in Iran

In 1972, over 2,000 blood specimens were obtained from two Iranian populations, Mazandaranians and Guilanians, who live on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. All specimens were screened for hypocatalasemics and randomly selected samples were analyzed for several blood groups (A1A2BO, MNSs, Rh, P, Fy, K, Di, Jk, Lu, Nya), red cell enzyme systems (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, acid phosphatase) and serum protein groups (Hp, Tf). The genetic constitution of these Iranian populations was described, and the genetic relationship to Mongolians and Caucasians was discussed.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Papua New Guinea

Summary A total of 362 males from various regions of Papua New Guinea were screened for red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity. Twenty-six G6PD deficient individuals were identified. Biochemical characterization of G6PD purified from these subjects has revealed 13 new variants and several copies of previously described forms of G6PD. This study illustrates the extreme heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency among the people of Papua New Guinea.     

Genetic distance: probing the origin of a Papua New Guinea isolate

In an attempt to elucidate the origin of an isolated peripheral Highland, Papua New Guinea population (the Karimui), HLA, blood group and serum protein markers were investigated. Due to the paucity of published HLA marker data, genetic distances using non-HLA markers were constructed between populations surrounding the Karimui and compared in 3-dimensions by multidimensional scaling analysis. Genetically, the Karimui is most closely associated with Highland populations to the east and northeast. In a attempt to develop a more global view of relationships, distances constructed from HLA marker data between 2 close Highland populations, 2 Coastal Papua New Guinea populations and 4 Australian aborigine populations were compared. The Karimui associated most closely with the Highland populations and equidistantly and at opposite poles from both the Coastal Papuan and aborigine populations. A paradigm of the composition of the founder group and the early population dynamics is developed from genetic, linguistic and anthropologic data.     

Contribution to study of Asmat genetic variability

During an anthropological survey in the South-West of Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea), 145 blood samples were collected from the coastal Asmat population. ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell, Duffy and Kidd red cell antigen systems were investigated and the results are presented here. ABO, MNSs, Rh gene frequencies of the Asmat, together with those of 21 other New Guinea populations, were examined by principal component analysis. The topological representation of the distribution of the selected New Guinea populations confirms high variability in the interior of the island, and possible causes are discussed. A hypothesis is advanced, concordant with language evidence which would explain the resemblance among populations from opposite coasts of New Guinea and between some mountain and coastal groups. When the comparison includes 32 other world populations, the New Guinea groups constitute one assemblage distinct from the others.     

Genetic characterization of Gainj- and Kalam-speaking peoples of Papua New Guinea

The research presented focuses on genetic variation in the Gainj- and Kalam-speaking peoples of highland Papua New Guinea. The primary data are typings at 51 genetic loci observed on 600 individuals who reside in 21 census units, called parishes. These data are augmented by cultural and demographic information that has also been collected. Parish sizes are small, ranging from 20 to about 200 individuals. Direct Western contact with these people has been occurring only for the past three decades. Although Westernization is currently increasing, we find that much of the traditional settlement pattern and mate exchange system is preserved. There are segregating variants at 27 loci. Four rare variants are initially described: NP 4-Kalam, ADA 6-Kalam, PEPA 3-Kalam, and FUM 2-Kalam. We find evidence for a new Gm haplotype, a;-, that is recessive to all other Gm haplotypes. It occurs at a high enough frequency, f(a;-) = 0.119, to be considered a "private polymorphism." Average per locus heterozygosity is estimated to be 0.053. This value is not statistically different from levels observed on two modern urban populations. Thus, there is no evidence for a reduced level of genetic variation in these people, despite small parish sizes and a relatively unacculturated social structure.     

Further evidence for heterogeneity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Papua New Guinea

Summary Four new G6PD variants have been characterized in individuals from Papua New Guinea. This study demonstrates that the previously reported Markham variant and the newly characterized Salata variant may be widely distributed in Papua New Guinea. The data presented here together with those of previously published studies demonstrate a degree of heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency that is much higher than that in other regions of the world where G6PD deficiency is common.     

Blood group, red cell enzyme and serum protein types in the Buka Islanders, Papua New Guinea

Genetic marker studies on a sample of 80 speakers of the Petats and Tinputs families of languages, all pupils at a single high school, indicate a homogeneity among them which can be extrapolated to their areas of origin. Buka and its offshore islands and the northern part of Bougainville Island in the North Solomons Province of Papua New Guinea. Several markers systems, most notably first-locus phosphoglucomutase and liver acetyltransferase, reinforce the morphological evidence that these peoples are quite distinct from most other Papua New Guinea populations, with whom, however, there has been some gene exchange, probably through East New Britain. Their principal affinities are with the peoples of the Solomon Islands to the south.     

Human polyomavirus JC variants in Papua New Guinea and Guam reflect ancient population settlement and viral evolution

The peopling of the Pacific was a complex sequence of events that is best reconstructed by reconciling insights from various disciplines. Here we analyze the human polyomavirus JC (JCV) in Highlanders of Papua New Guinea (PNG), in Austronesian-speaking Tolai people on the island of New Britain, and in nearby non-Austronesian-speaking Baining people. We also characterize JCV from the Chamorro of Guam, a Micronesian population. All JCV strains from PNG and Guam fall within the broad Asian group previously defined in the VP1 gene as Type 2 or Type 7, but the PNG strains were distinct from both genotypes. Among the Chamorro JCV samples, 8 strains (Guam-1) were like the Type 7 strains found in Southeast Asia, while nine strains (Guam-2) were distinct from both the mainland strains and most PNG strains. We identified three JCV variants within Papua New Guinea (PNG-1, PNG-2 and PNG-3), but none of the Southeast Asian (Type 7) strains. PNG-1 strains were present in all three populations (Highlanders and the Baining and Tolai of New Britain), but PNG-2 strains were restricted to the Highlanders. Their relative lack of DNA sequence variation suggests that they arose comparatively recently. The single PNG-3 strain, identified in an Austronesian-speaking Tolai individual, was closely related to the Chamorro variants (Guam-2), consistent with a common Austronesian ancestor. In PNG-2 variants a complex regulatory region mutation inserts a duplication into a nearby deletion, a change reminiscent of those seen in the brains of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy patients. This is the first instance of a complex JCV rearrangement circulating in a human population.