Regional gender differences in an autosomal disease result in corresponding diversity differences

Abstract

Regional gender differences in autosomal chromosome disorders have been observed repeatedly. However, the corresponding diversity changes remain unconfirmed. By analyzing previously published thalassemia data from the Dai people in Dehong and Xishuangbanna (two regions in Yunnan Province, China), we found that several sequence types, including HBA CNV and HBB mutations, significantly depend on gender in Xishuangbanna but not in Dehong. With the supportive evidence from previous researches, we accept that some certain mutations depend on gender regionally. This association seems peculiar. It is among one common people on a small geographical scale, while other recorded thalassemia gender difference varies by ethnics and continent.