Molecular analysis of the ICAM4 gene in an autochthonous East African population

Abstract

T he intracellular adhesion molecule 4 (ICAM4) gene, located on chromosome 19p13.3, encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein expressing the LandsteinerWiener (LW) blood group antigens. Only one study has systematically analyzed the ICAM4 gene at the allele level in Caucasians and African Americans. This is the first genetic study in an African population to describe the variability of the ICAM4 gene and identify prevalent alleles.