Alpha-globin gene markers identify genetic differences between Australian aborigines and Melanesians. |
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| Authors: | A S Tsintsof M S Hertzberg J F Prior K N Mickleson and R J Trent |
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| Institution: | Clinical Immunology Research Centre, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. |
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| Abstract: | Australian aborigines exhibit a number of alpha-globin cluster rearrangements involving both alpha- and zeta-globin genes. alpha+-Thalassemia (-alpha/) in this population is heterogeneous and includes the 3.7 types I, II, and III gene deletions. The alpha alpha alpha/ and zeta zeta zeta/ rearrangements are each found in association with two haplotypes, indicating origins from at least two separate DNA crossover events. Differences in alpha-globin cluster rearrangements and in haplotypes between Australian aborigines, Papua New Guinea highlanders and island Melanesians, are consistent with multiple colonizing events into Australia. |
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