B.N. Mukherjee

Hemoglobin E Distribution in Ten Endogamous Population Groups of Assam, India

Previous studies have reported a high incidence of hemoglobin E (HbE) in Northeast Indian populations. In the present study 10 endogamous populations of Assam belonging to two racial groups, Caucasoid and Mongoloid, were examined. The frequency of HbE gene (Hb beta E) in the Caucasoid caste populations is around 0.1, whereas the gene is highly prevalent in the Mongoloid populations, frequencies ranging between 0.2 and 0.6. Predominance of Hb beta E in the Tibeto-Burman speakers is contrary to observations made in Southeast Asia, where an association between Austro-Asiatic speakers and high prevalence of HbE exist. The highest occurrence of the gene in this area, which is on the far end of the proposed centre of distribution in Northern Kampuchea and Northeast Thailand, is also a deviation from the expected pattern of gene distribution. It is speculated that Hb beta E in the Tibeto-Burman populations of Assam arose by an independent mutation which contributed to the high frequencies of Hb beta E in the Northeast Indian populations.

Genetic Markers among Meiteis and Brahmins of Manipur, India

Genetic polymorphism of 16 red-cell antigens, enzymes, serum proteins and Hb variants was investigated in 214 male and female individuals belonging to the Meiteis and a Brahmin caste group living in Imphal (Manipur, Northeast India). Ethnohistorical records suggest that the Meiteis are of Mongoloid origin, while the original Brahmin settlers represent the easternmost part of the so-called Caucasoids. The markers studied are: A1A2BO, MNSs, Rh-system, Duffy, Diego; Gm, Km, Gc, Hp, Tf, Cp; Hb; aP, AK, EsD and LDH. The comparison between the two groups on the basis of the markers studied showed that the Meiteis and Brahmins are very close to each other with respect to most of the loci except Gm, EsD and Hb, where significant statistical differences were found.

Genetic Diversity and Affinities among Indian Populations: An Overview

One of the primary objectives of the study of human biology is to understand the nature and extent of biological variation among human populations. Genetic characters are commonly used for this purpose. Genetic diversity among Indian populations is large (Table 1). From Table 1 it is seen that the variation in gene frequencies among populations of South Asia (comprising primarily the Indian subcontinent) is the highest compared to the populations resident in the other Asian regions. Using gene frequency data on ten polymorphic loci, Roychoudhury (1983) obtained relationships among some castes and tribes of India and some neighbouring populations. He found that the south Indian castes are genetically very close to the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. This is because of past large-scale migrations of Tamil-speaking south Indian people to Sri Lanka; the linguistic and cultural similarities of Sinhalese with the south Indian people (especially those of Tamilnadu) has also resulted in a good deal of genetic admixture. On the whole, the caste groups of India were found to be closer to the Iranians and Afghans than to Mongoloid populations of Malaya and China. The south Indian tribal groups were found to be genetically close to the tribal Veddahs of Sri Lanka. He also found the tribal groups of Malaya and the aborigines of New Guinea and Australia to be genetically unrelated to the south Indian tribes. Using data on four polymorphic loci (Tf, Gc, Gm and Km), Walter (1986) arrived at similar conclusions, and additionally found that the east Indian populations are more similar to the Mongoloid populations of Nepal, Japan and China.

The Haptoglobin and Transferrin Types in West Bengal and a Case of Haptoglobin ‘Johnson’

A series of 456 serum samples obtained from blood donors in Central Blood Bank, Calcutta, were examined by starch gel electrophoresis for haptoglobin types, and 424 samples out of them were examined f

Genetic variation of five blood group polymorphisms in ten populations of Assam, India

Six Mongoloid and four Caucasoid populations of Assam, India, were examined for A1A2BO, Rhesus, Duffy and Diego blood groups. The distribution of their phenotypes and allele frequencies are presented. In the perspective of the ethnographic background, the results have been discussed in terms of genetic variability among these populations and probable reasons for its existence. The major groups, namely Caucasoids and Mongoloids, appear to form two separate groups in terms of these blood groups, though evidence is there to suggest intermixture.

Serological and biochemical investigations among five endogamous groups of Delhi, India

Phenotype and gene frequencies for four blood group systems (ABO, MN, Rh and P) and haptoglobin among five endogamous groups of Delhi, India, are reported. All the systems are polymorphic in all the population groups. The average heterozygosity per locus in high (in the range 48-52 per cent) for all the groups. The extent of genic variability among the groups in terms of net codon differences per locus has been studied; the heterogeneity within the groups is large as compared to the between-group heterogeneity. There is no definite clustering of the of the groups with respect to their biological rank.

Genetic differentiation among four groups of fishermen of the Eastern Coast, India

The four endogamous groups of fishermen living around the city of Puri, located on the eastern coast of India, were studied for blood groups, red cell enzymes and serum proteins (11 loci). Only 1.3% of the total diversity among the groups studied is due to differences between them (GST = 0.013). The genetic distances between populations were estimated using Edwards and Cavalli-Sforzas method. The pattern of genetic distance reflects the geographical distribution of these groups. In general, these observations support the patterns of variation based on anthropometric and dermatoglyphic variables.

An epidemiological study of blood pressure and lipid levels among Marwaris of Calcutta, India

This population based study was conducted among the Marwaris of Calcutta, India. A total of 1,096 individuals from 151 randomly selected families were studied. Mean blood pressures were high. About 17% of the population was hypertensive, i.e., systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 95 mm Hg. The mean value of the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was 4.75. Comparison with a rural agricultural population showed that unadjusted blood pressure profiles differed significantly, but not when the profiles were adjusted for variation in concomitants (e.g., age, weight, fatness, etc.). It is hypothesized that the “intrinsic” blood pressure profiles of both populations are similar and that genes influencing physical variables (e.g., fatness) do not directly influence blood pressure.

High Prevalence of Haemoglobin E in Three Populations of the Malda District, West Bengal, India

High frequencies of haemoglobin (Hb) E were reported earlier from Assam in northeast India. In the present study one of the three populations of the Malda district of West Bengal, called the Deshi, was found to show one of the highest incidences of the Hb E gene (0.61) recorded so far. A founder effect and/or local inbreeding may possibly explain this observation.

Genetic polymorphism analysis among nine endogamous population groups of Maharashtra, India

The present paper reports results of analysis of 14 genetic marker systems-ABO, MN, Rh, Hp, Tf, Cp, Alb, AcPH, PGM, LDH, MDH, Est-D, Hb and G-6-PD studied on a number of subjects of 9 endogamous groups of Maharashtra: Bhils, Katkaris and Pawaras, (all tribal groups); Deshastha Rigvedi and Chitpavan (two Brahmin groups); Nava Budhas (a scheduled caste); Chandrasenya Kayastha Prabhu and Marathas (two middle caste groups); and Parsis a migrant group from west Asia. Analysis of heterogeneity of gene frequencies reveal considerable heterogeneity for most of the loci among these groups.