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. 1990 Jan;46(1):138–143.

Alpha-globin gene markers identify genetic differences between Australian aborigines and Melanesians.

A S Tsintsof 1, M S Hertzberg 1, J F Prior 1, K N Mickleson 1, R J Trent 1
PMCID: PMC1683541  PMID: 2294746

Abstract

Australian aborigines exhibit a number of alpha-globin cluster rearrangements involving both alpha- and zeta-globin genes. alpha+-Thalassemia (-alpha/) in this population is heterogeneous and includes the 3.7 types I, II, and III gene deletions. The alpha alpha alpha/ and zeta zeta zeta/ rearrangements are each found in association with two haplotypes, indicating origins from at least two separate DNA crossover events. Differences in alpha-globin cluster rearrangements and in haplotypes between Australian aborigines, Papua New Guinea highlanders and island Melanesians, are consistent with multiple colonizing events into Australia.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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