title: The sickle gene polymorphism in North Africa.
abstract: Analysis of the restriction endonuclease Hpa 1-beta globin gene linkage has been performed in a predominantly Arab population of North Africa possessing the sickle (beta A) gene is found associated with a 7.6 kilobase) or 7.0 kb Hpa 1 fragment (54/54 assignable beta A genes), whereas the beta S gene is found associated with a 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment (42/42 assignable beta S genes). The results demonstrate a very tight linkage of the beta S gene to the 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment as well as a very low probability that a beta A gene will be found on a 13 kb Hpa 1 fragment. Thus, the North African population presents a nearly ideal opportunity for prenatal diagnosis solely by Hpa 1-beta globin gene linkage analysis. Additionally, the evidence supports the hypothesis that the beta S gene flowed from West Africa rather than from Arab populations in the Middle East.
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D004247:DNA