The distribution of PGM1 phenotypes from persons belonging to various ethnic groups in the Asian-Pacific area has been analysed using isoelectric focusing (I.E.F.) in 0 X 35 mm thick polyacrylamide gels pH 5-7. Comparison of the four common allotype frequencies indicates well-marked differences in their distribution. The PGM 1*1+allotype frequency varies from 43 to 77% in Western Samoa and Port Moresby, respectively. Melanesians from Papua New Guinea and Fiji, Aborigines from central Australia and Indonesians from the Lesser Sunda islands have higher frequencies of the PGM1*1-allotypes (21-25%), whereas east Asians and Indian populations have approximately half this frequency. Indian populations are distinctive in having higher frequencies of the PGM1*2+ allotype (22-31%). However, the lowest values (2%) are recorded in Micronesians. The Polynesians, except for Cook Islanders, are characterized by having the highest frequencies (23%) of the PGM1*2-allotype. These values are in contrast to the Papua New Guineans and Australian Aborigines where the PGM1*2-allotype reaches minimum values of approximately 1%. A new PGM1*7 Delhi allotype which we recently detected in Delhi, north India, has been found with polymorphic frequency in Madras, south India. The allotype frequencies have been used for genetic distance analysis to demonstrate the genetic affinities between the populations studied.

Asia↗

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Red cell enzyme and serum protein types in the Watut Anga of Papua New Guinea.

Historically, the Angan populations of Papua New Guinea have maintained a strong isolation and absorbed limited genes from their neighbours. This lack of intermixing is reflected in their relatively homogeneous cultural, linguistic and genetic profiles. We have determined the electrophoretic variation at 26 red cell enzyme, serum protein and haemoglobin loci in the Watut Anga, a splinter group occupying the Upper Watut Valley of Morobe Province. Their genetic profile reveals the lack of a number-of variants, such as PGM2*10 and MDH*3, known to exhibit high frequencies in other highland populations. The average heterozygosity in the Watut is also much lower when compared with other Papua New Guinean populations. Their present numerical strength notwithstanding, it appears that the Angan populations have experienced population bottlenecks in their evolutionary history which may have accentuated their genetic divergence from other Papua New Guinean populations.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Population structure and human variation.

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Demography↗