Haemoglobin D-Ouled Rabah among the Mozabites: a relevant variant to trace the origin of Berber-speaking populations.
We have studied haemoglobin (Hb) variants and blood groups (ABO, RH, and Kell) in 598 children from the Berber population of the Mzab. Hb D-Ouled Rabah, considered as a private marker of the Kel Kummer Tuaregs, and Hb C were found at the same gene frequency (0.015). Haplotype analysis suggests a single origin to the Hb D mutation. Genetic distances calculated from the blood group data cluster Mozabites and Tuaregs with the other Berber-speaking groups, Arabic-speaking populations being more distant. But, we found no specific relationship between Mozabites and Kel Kummers. Tuaregs in general exhibit features that tend to differentiate them from other Berber-speaking groups. Hb D-Ouled Rabah may be specific of Berber-speaking populations.
Merghoub
T
T
INSERM U458, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France.
Sanchez-Mazas
A
A
Tamouza
R
R
Lu
C Y
CY
Bouzid
K
K
Ardjoun
F Z
FZ
Labie
D
D
Lapouméroulie
C
C
Elion
J
J
D000462:Algeria; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006239:Haplotypes; D006444:Hemoglobin C / Q000235:genetics; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; C032001:hemoglobin D; D006444:Hemoglobin C