title: Multiple recombination events are responsible for the heterogeneity of alpha(+)-thalassemia haplotypes among the forest tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India.
abstract: The presence of several polymorphic markers along the alpha-globin gene complex allows the identification of haplotypes associated with alpha-thalassemia determinants. These are found at very high frequencies in geographic areas where malaria is or has been endemic which suggests a positive selective role by the parasitic disease in favour of alpha(+)-thalassemia mutants. A population survey among forest tribal communities from Andhra Pradesh, India, revealed the prevalence and molecular heterogeneity of alpha(+)-thalassemia determinants presumably due to a long backdated malaria endemicity among these populations. Analysis of the tribal alpha-thalassemia haplotypes has shown a great degree of genetic heterogeneity which can be explained as the result of multiple recombination events in the presence of natural selection by malaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Sylvius Laboratory, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fodde
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Harteveld
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Losekoot
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Nayudu
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Bernini
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D005914:Globins