The Northern and Southeastern Ojibwa: serum proteins and red cell enzyme systems

Two Ojibwa Indian populations in Ontario, selected to represent the Northern (Pikangikum Band) and Southeastern (Wikwemikong Band) branches of this “tribe” are compared for their serum protein and red cell enzyme systems. Albumin, haptoglobin, immunoglobins Gm and Inv, serum α-globulin and transferrin polymorphisms are reported. The genetic markers Al^Naskapi and Gc^Chippewa are found in both groups, Tf^{D Chi} in Pikangikum only. Contrary to expectations, the Mongoloid marker Gm^1,3,5,11 was found in neither population. Ceruloplasmin is invariant in both, all individuals being B homozygotes. For the red cell enzymes, only the common phenotypes of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and peptidases A and B are present in the Northern and Southeastern Ojibwa. Isocitrate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, nucleoside phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase, phosphoglucomutase II, phosphoglyeerate kinase and peptidase C were typed in Pikangikum only: no variants were found. Methemoglobin reductase, tested in Wikwemikong alone, is invariant. Loci polymorphic in at least one Ojibwa group include acid phosphatase, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, glutathione reductase, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase I, and soluble glutamic oxalocetic transaminase. Comparisons are made with other Algonkian-speakers when possible, with other North American, South American and Asiatic Mongoloid populations when sufficient Algonkian data do not exist. The causes of genetic heterogeneity between the two Ojibwa groups are discussed.