Population structure of Sicily: beta-thalassemia and HbS |
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Authors: | Italo Barrai Gino Schiliro Maria Beretta Paola Mazzetti Antonio Russo Giovanna Russo Mancuso |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Zoology, University of Ferrara, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy;(2) Pediatric Clinic, University of Catania, I-95100 Catania, Italy |
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Abstract: | Summary The population structure of two alleles with similar characteristics, HbS and beta-thalassemia, was studied in the same area in Sicily. It was observed that beta-thalassemia has uniform frequencies over the island, and that HbS shows a South-North cline. A singularity exists for HbS in the town of Butera, where the frequency of the S gene is six times higher than the island average. It was suggested that HbS entered Sicily from Greece (or directly from North Africa) when the beta-thalassemia allele was already established in the Island. |
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