The genetic structure of a province as revealed by surnames and HLA genes: potential utility in transplantation policy

Microgeographic variation of HLA-A, -B, and -DR haplotype frequencies in Tuscany, Italy: implications for recruitment of bone marrow donors

HLA-A/B haplotype frequencies were estimated in a sample of 2355 bone marrow donors born in a subregion of Tuscany (Italy), and the HLA-A, -B, -DR haplotype frequencies were estimated in a subset of 809 individuals. This area was divided in 10 subsamples (two-locus haplotypes), or six subsamples (three-locus haplotypes), all with sample size >50, based on administrative boundaries. A considerable level of heterogeneity of haplotype frequency was present among subsamples; this heterogeneity was associated to a large variation (up to 4-fold) of the number of new donors that must be typed in order to reach 50% chance of finding an HLA-A, -B phenotype of intermediate frequency. Knowledge of the genetic structure of the population at a microgeographic level may be useful in directing the search of specific bone marrow donors.

Different genetic components in the Ethiopian population, identified by mtDNA and Y-chromosome polymorphisms

Seventy-seven Ethiopians were investigated for mtDNA and Y chromosome-specific variations, in order to (1) define the different maternal and paternal components of the Ethiopian gene pool, (2) infer the origins of these maternal and paternal lineages and estimate their relative contributions, and (3) obtain information about ancient populations living in Ethiopia. The mtDNA was studied for the RFLPs relative to the six classical enzymes (HpaI, BamHI, HaeII, MspI, AvaII, and HincII) that identify the African haplogroup L and the Caucasoid haplogroups I and T. The sample was also examined at restriction sites that define the other Caucasoid haplogroups (H, U, V, W, X, J, and K) and for the simultaneous presence of the DdeI10394 and AluI10397 sites, which defines the Asian haplogroup M. Four polymorphic systems were examined on the Y chromosome: the TaqI/12f2 and the 49a,f RFLPs, the Y Alu polymorphic element (DYS287), and the sY81-A/G (DYS271) polymorphism. For comparison, the last two Y polymorphisms were also examined in 87 Senegalese previously classified for the two TaqI RFLPs. Results from these markers led to the hypothesis that the Ethiopian population (1) experienced Caucasoid gene flow mainly through males, (2) contains African components ascribable to Bantu migrations and to an in situ differentiation process from an ancestral African gene pool, and (3) exhibits some Y-chromosome affinities with the Tsumkwe San (a very ancient African group). Our finding of a high (20%) frequency of the "Asian" DdeI10394AluI10397 (++) mtDNA haplotype in Ethiopia is discussed in terms of the "out of Africa" model.