title: Molecular polymorphism of the ABO blood group: a study in Poland, Spain, and Andorra.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main goal of this study is to increase knowledge on the molecular level of the ABO blood group system in Europe by providing data for Poland, Spain, and Andorra populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 172 oral scrapings samples from individuals of Polish origin, 108 peripheral blood samples of autochthonous individuals from the province of Zamora (Spain), and 81 peripheral blood samples from individuals with Andorran origin, were analyzed. Molecular characterization of the allelic variants was performed by the analysis of exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven common alleles were identified, namely: A101, A102, A201, B101, O01, O02, and O03. Less common variants (O05, O09, O21, O26, O06, O11, and O12), were also detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained contribute to the knowledge of the molecular European ABO map, and are discussed in regard to the allelic frequency reported by other Caucasian and Asian populations.
authors.affiliation: Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biocièncias, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umbria
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cantons
authors.forename: Carmina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruguera
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minias
authors.forename: Chantal Backes
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: de Duró
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nogués
authors.forename: Maria Pilar
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Aluja
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000483:Alleles; D000725:Andorra; D005091:Exons; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D011044:Poland; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System