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Haptoglobin (Hp) is a serum protein with a number of biological activities. Hp is expressed by a genetic polymorphism as three major phenotypes: 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2. Hp polymorphism is useful as a genetic marker of human populations. Geographical distribution of Hp phenotypes varies substantially among different countries and races. In Mexico, studies about the Hp polymorphism among several populations have been performed. However, no data is available about the Hp polymorphism in Mennonites. Therefore, we sought to determine the Hp phenotypes in 90 inhabitants of a Mennonite community of Durango State, Mexico. The Mennonite community explored consists of persons of white ethnicity only. There was not any evidence that these inhabitants were mixed with other local ethnic groups. Inclusion criteria for the study subjects were: 1) Mennonites; 2) 18 year and older; and 3) who accepted to participate in the study. Selection of Mennonites was performed randomly. This strategy was used to explore a representative sample of the community and to diminish the likelihood of including related individuals. Serum samples of all 90 Mennonites were analyzed for Hp phenotyping by means of a starch gel electrophoresis of hemoglobin-supplemented serum as described elsewhere. Calculation of gene frequencies was performed by gene counting. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was evaluated by the c² test. We found that 9 out of the 90 Mennonites (10%) had Hp 1-1 phenotype, 39 (43%) had Hp 2-1 phenotype, and 42 (47%) had Hp 2-2 phenotype. The Hp*1 and Hp*2 allele frequencies found in the Mennonites were 0.317 and 0.683, respectively. Results are in close agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

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2008-04-09   |   1,297 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 59 Núm.6. Noviembre-Diciembre 2007 Pags. 491-492 Rev Invest Clin 2007; 59(6)