A. G. Steinberg

Evidence for a mutation or crossing-over at the Rh locus.

There has been a controversy for a number of years concerning the mode of inheritance of the Rh antigens. One group maintains that alleles a t a single locus determine the antigens (WIENER [2]), while another group (see RACE and SANGER for review [l]) maintains that a series of closely linked genes determine the antigens. At one time it was thought that the controversy could be settled by the observation of a cross-over between the C, D, and E antigens or their counterparts. However, the demonstration in various organism that crossing-over may occur within a locus has made it clear that a crossover among the Rh antigens cannot help to distinguish between the above interpretations. Hence, the data to be presented in this report are offered only as an example of crossing-over or mutation affecting the Rh factors and not as evidence concerning their mode of inheritance. The red blood cells were from members of a family (No. 772.08) belonging to the L subsect of a religious group known as the Hutterites [3]. These people live communally on large farms remote from villages, towns, and cities; dress in peasant costumes of the middle-European style of 200 years ago; and keep socially and genetically isolated from the non-Hutterites. Women never leave the farm to visit the town or other places except in large groups accompanied by one or more men. Strangers (i.e. non-Hutterites) are never left alone with any Hutterites. Hutterites construct their lives around their religious beliefs which flow from the New Testament. They are a highly religious, moral, hard-working group of people [3].

THE PRODUCTION OF ANTI-GM REAGENTS BY RHESUS MONKEYS IMMUNIZED WITH POOLED HUMAN GAMMA GLOBULIN.

Five out of six rhesus monkeys immunized with pooled human 7 S gamma globulin which was Gm (a+b + x+c+), Inv (a+b+) produced anti‐human gamma globulin with Gm but not Inv specificity. The anti‐Gm (a), ‐Gm (b) and ‐Gm (c) so produced were found to be useful reagents for Gm testing.

Studies on Hereditary Gamma Globulin Factors: Detection of the Factor Gm‐like in a White Family*

An incomplete anti‐D serum from a white donor living in England and not having any demonstrable Negro ancestry was found to be capable of detecting Gm‐like with appropriate agglutinating sera.

A Family with the Rare Red Cell Antigens Wra and ‘Super’ Sda

Abstract. A family is recorded in which the two rare antigens ‘super’ Sid, or ‘super’ Sda, and Wra are present. The linkage count between the two characters is six non‐recombinants, for which the lod score at θ =0.00 is 1.806. This is tantalizingly suggestive of linkage, or possibly of control by one and the same complex locus, but does not reach a significant level.

Analysis of linkage relationships of Co, Jk and K with each other and with chromosome 2 loci ACP1 and Km.

Linkage analyses of locus pairs involving ACPI, Co, Jk, K and Km indicate: probable linkage between Co and Jk (ẑ=+3.80 at θ= 0.29); possible linkage between Jk and Km (z =+1.93 at θ= 1.30); a mild hint of linkage between Co and K 9z=+1.01 at θ= 0.30); inadequate information for Co: Km linkage for K: Jk, K: Km, ACPI: Jk, ACPI: K and ACPI: Km. The compiled information does not allow assignment of Co, Jk or K to chromosome 2.

A second example of a white family in which Gm(c) occurs, and a further analysis of the first example.

Gm(c) was found in 5 of 250 (2%) unrelated Dutch individuals not known to have Negro ancestry. In three cases Gm(c) was determined by a Gmb(1,2,3,4)c allele and in one by a Gmb(1,2)c allele. The genotype of the fifth individual could not be determined from his phenotype. Gm(c) was determined by a Gmb(1,2,3,4)c allele in eight members of a Dutch family and by a Gmb(1,2)c allele in six members of a previously reported English family. The alleles which determine Gm(c) in Caucasoids appear to be Gm(b2 +), while the allele which determines Gm(c) in Negroids is usually Gm(b2 ‐).