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Sickle cell anemia is hallmarked by hemolysis, which releases hemoglobin (Hb) into the plasma promoting vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Haptoglobin (Hp) clears free Hb and decreases Hb-related pathophysiology in sickle cell anemia. There are two alleles (HP1 and HP2) and three genotypes (HP1-1, HP1-2 and HP2-2) of Hp with different frequencies in different populations. This study involved Hp level and genotype among normal and sickle cell anemia patients with varying severity of VOC. A total of 297 sickle cell anemia patients and 98 healthy controls were selected for the study. The sickle cell anemia patients were categorized as 'mild-phenotype' with no pain episodes and 'severe-phenotype' as having three or more acute pain episodes in the preceding 12 months. The Hp level was significantly lower ( p  < 0.001) in sickle cell patients anemia than controls; HP1-1 genotype had a higher Hp level compared to HP1-2 and HP2-2 ( p  < 0.05). Turkey-Kramer multiple comparison tests showed that mild and severe phenotypes have significant differences ( p  < 0.05) in Hb F%, Hb, platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), direct-bilirubin (Bil-D), total-bilirubin (Bil-T), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Hp level. Pearson correlation revealed that Hp level has a positive ( p  < 0.05) correlation with Hb F%, Hb, packed cell volume (PCV) and serum urea; in contrast its level is negatively correlated with AST, ALT, Bil-T and LDH. A significantly higher frequency of HP2 allele and HP2-2 genotypes was found in severe phenotypes. In the studied population, it was found that higher HP2 frequency, low Hp level and more hemolysis favors the onset of VOC in sickle cell anemia.

Scope: Haptoglobin (Hp), an acute phase inflammatory protein is associated with malaria pathogenesis in several proteomics and genomics studies. The Hp gene has two co-dominant alleles: Hp1 and Hp2 that produce three genotypes: Hp1/Hp1, Hp1/Hp2 and Hp2/Hp2., Experimental Design: In this study, validation of the proteomics data with Multiple Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectroscopy (MRM-MS) is performed and the association of the Hp gene variants with severe, non-severe malaria and community (healthy) controls using genotyping PCRs and DNA sequencing is analysed., Results: Highly significant values of Hp is observed in the MRM assay that show a correlation with severity of malaria and is clearly distinguished from another febrile disease, dengue. Moreover, the Hp2/Hp2 genotype is seen in high percentages in non-severe malaria patients (74%) and community controls (72%) whereas patients diagnosed with severe malaria show only (31%) of this genotype. Sequencing of the Hp promoter region reveals three SNPs along with 10 unique haplotypes, out of which five are associated with non-severe and three with severe malaria populations (χ 2  = 130; df = 18; p < 0.0001)., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: This proteo-genomic study focuses on the correlation of the Hp protein and gene with malaria, thus highlighting the pivotal role of this acute phase immune gene in malaria pathogenesis., (© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The haptoglobin 2-2 genotype is associated with atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We examined the associations of the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype with C-reactive protein (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and carotid artery intima-media thickness, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and medications via logistic multivariate regression in 200 subjects (160 type 2 diabetes mellitus versus 40 healthy individuals). The prevalence of the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype was 58% (115/200), higher in the Indians than in Chinese (72% versus 45%, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype was associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [mean: 3.5 ± 3.9 versus 2.2 ± 2.6 mg/L (non-haptoglobin 2-2), p < 0.001], haptoglobin concentration [mean: 116.9 ± 54.4.0 versus 147.2 ± 54.5 mg/dL (non-haptoglobin 2-2), p < 0.001] and average carotid artery intima-media thickness (multiplied by 10) [6.15 ± 1.22 versus 5.98 ± 1.20 mm (non-haptoglobin 2-2), p = 0.013]. This pilot study shows an association of the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype with low-grade inflammation, haptoglobin concentration and carotid artery intima-media thickness in multi-ethnic Singapore., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Background: Increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidative capacity are common findings in diabetics. This study reports on the status of antioxidative enzymes in relation to haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism in type 2 diabetes., Methods: The study comprised 165 type 2 diabetic patients and 94 controls. Erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), and plasmatic ceruloplasmin ferroxidase (Cp) were measured by spectrophotometry and Hp phenotypes were determined by gel electrophoresis., Results: Irrespective of Hp phenotype, while the activities of Cp ferroxidase and GPx were significantly higher in patients than in controls, those of SOD were significantly lower. No significant differences observed for CAT. However, significant Hp-phenotype dependent differences were observed between patients and controls regarding the activity of these enzymes. While ferroxidase activity in Hp2-2 patients was significantly higher than that in Hp1-1 or Hp2-1 patients, that of SOD and GPx were significantly lower. When patients were analyzed as a single group, Spearman's univariate analysis has demonstrated that HbA1c positively correlates with ferroxidase activity and negatively correlates with levels of GPx and SOD. However, when patients were treated as separate Hp-dependent groups, similar but stronger correlations between these variable were noted only in the case of Hp2-2 patients., Conclusions: These findings suggest that Hp polymorphism has some bearing on the activity of antioxidative enzymes in type 2 diabetes and that Hp2-2 diabetics are under increased oxidative stress as compared with those expressing Hp1-1 or Hp2-1., (Copyright © 2013 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Haptoglobin (HP) is a serum protein that has the capability of binding the extracorpuscular haemoglobin released during haemolysis. It plays an important role in protection of haemolytic disease by reducing the oxidative and peroxidative potential at free haemoglobin. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of HP polymorphism among different Indian populations, anthropologically belonging to diverse ethnicity. The polymorphism was screened among 642 unrelated individuals belonging to 14 population groups of India including both tribal and non-tribal caste groups from different geographical regions of India with distinct linguistic affiliations. An attempt is also made to understand the distribution of HP polymorphism among the studied populations. The result reveals the HP gene to be polymorphic in all the studied populations. Except the two tribal populations (Thotis of Andhra Pradesh and Patelias of Rajasthan) and one caste population (Rajput of Himachal Pradesh), all the studied populations are found to obey the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The significance of the present study is elucidated with the prevalence of high mutant HP*2 allele frequency in India. Selection could be one of the most plausible explanations for this high HP frequency because of its uniformly high occurrence among all the studied populations.

The present paper reports the distribution of serum protein markers viz. haptoglobin and transferrin in two major groups of Aligarh city of North India. In present study we have undertaken a survey of 538 individuals belonging to eight different populations, four from the Hindu community i.e. Brahmin, Bania, Rajput and Jatav, and the rest four among the Muslim community i.e. Syed, Sheikh, Pathan and Ansari. The heterozygosity ranged from 0.2939 (Ansari) to 0.4873 (Brahmin) for haptoglobin and from 0.000 (Rajput) to 0.1498 (Pathan) for transferrin. The values of D(ST) are 0.4122 and 0.4406, and that of G(ST) are 0.5059 and 0.9726 for haptoglobin and transferrin markers respectively. Through F(ST) test, it has been concluded that there is a high genetic differentiation of populations within Hindu and Muslim groups, though there is absence of any significant differences between these groups.

The Muslim population of India is known for its historical and socioreligious significance. Literature on the genetic structure of this segment of India's population is scanty. Therefore we have investigated the allele frequency distribution of haptoglobin (HP) and transferrin (TF) phenotypes among the Muslims to explore the genetic diversity of the Muslim immigrant populations of Aligarh. Aligarh is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India (latitude 27 degrees 54'N, longitude 78 degrees 5'E), situated 130 km southeast of Delhi. The population is mainly represented by Muslim immigrants from the eastern, northern, southern, and western regions of India and from abroad. Differences in allele frequencies of both HP and TF were statistically significant for the population of immigrants from western India and insignificant for others. The alleles HP*2 and TF*C2 show maximum frequencies in the southern population (0.882 and 0.822, respectively) followed by the eastern population (0.862 and 0.807) and the northern population (0.806 and 0.650). In the northern population a third allele, TF*C3, is also detected, with a mean frequency of 0.044. The average heterozygosity (H(L)) values for HP and TF are 0.273 and 0.361, respectively, and the pooled values for gene diversity parameters for both loci are H(T) = 0.4294 +/- 0.0351, H(S) = 0.4225 +/- 0.0271, and D(ST) = 0.0069 +/- 0.0051. The pooled G(ST) value is 0.0153 +/- 0.0108. The magnitude of these values indicates genetic similarity among the investigated populations. Our AMOVA results also demonstrate similarity among populations of the same geographic region. However, we note substantial differentiation among different regions (Phi(CT) = 0.221). The UPGMA dendrogram shows a cluster between the eastern and southern populations, to which the northern population joins. Our results reveal genetic similarity among different immigrant populations, with the western population being the most distant. Therefore the present study on culturally, geographically, and linguistically different endogamous groups of Muslims may have significance in understanding their genetic relationship.

Blood samples from 621 individuals of a Caste Hindu Population from West Bengal (India) were investigated in an attempt to find out an association between the AB0 blood groups and Haptoglobin (HP) subtypes. AB0 blood grouping was done on the basis of the agglutination test with standard anti-sera. Haptoglobin subtyping only for the HP*1 allele was done by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). A significant association was found with a significantly lower HP*1S allele frequency in blood group 0 versus other AB0 blood groups. A comparatively higher allele frequency of HP*1S was found in this population sample. An inverse relationship between HP*1S and HP*2 has been revealed in each blood group. It appears that the major portion of HP*1 alleles in the A, B, and AB blood groups belongs to the HP*1S allele compared to that of the 0 blood group.

Haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism analysed among P. vivax and P. falciparum patients and malaria negative subjects from areas with different epidemiological situations had shown high incidence of ahaptoglobinemia (HpO) among malaria patients. A definite association of HpO with P. vivax as well as P. falciparum malaria in Indian subjects had been observed. However, low sensitivity and reliability of HpO index indicates that it can not be a good indicator for determination of malaria endemicity. About 75 per cent of HpO subjects with P. vivax infection when treated with chloroquine showed typable Hp polymorphs by 8-9 days of post-treatment.

The subtribes of Mali viz. Manzai Mali and Bod Mali of Andhra Pradesh, India, were screened for A1A2B0, Rhesus (CcDEe) and MN blood groups, ABH saliva secretion and plasma proteins, namely haptoglobin, transferrin, caeruloplasmin and albumin. The genetic differences between the two subtribes are marginal and not significant except for ABH saliva secretion and plasma haptoglobin. Our observations suggest that the isolation of these two subtribes cannot date long back.

A case-control study was carried out on patients of myocardial infarction selected from coronary care unit of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Delhi. The study was carried out to determine the association of haptoglobin (Hp), transferrin (Tf) and complement component 3 (C3) polymorphism with myocardial infarction. The frequency of allele Hp1 was found to be 0.159 in cases studied and 0.058 in controls. The frequency of gene TfC was found to be 0.987 in cases of study and 0.992 in controls. Similarly, frequency of CS3 gene was found to be 0.985 and 0.990 in cases studied and controls respectively. The comparison between cases studied and controls with respect to TfC and CS3 polymorphism was found to be statistically non-significant while the comparison between cases studied and controls for Hp polymorphism was found to be statistically significant (chi 2 = 21.88, p < 0.01).

Blood and serum samples from random individuals of three populations in south India, the first being an endogamous group from the Nilgiri hills (Tamil Nadu), the second from the Shevroy hills (Tamil Nadu), and the third from a semi-urban area of Tamil Nadu, were screened for ESD, GLO1 and Hp polymorphisms. The allelic frequencies for these markers have been estimated. High GLO1*1 (0.379) frequency was observed in the tribal Malayalis, in contrast with other Indian population groups.

The genetic polymorphisms of two blood groups (A1A2B0, Rh-D) and two serum proteins (HP, TF) were investigated in five endogamous caste groups of Bengalee Hindu population living in Calcutta. The distribution of A1A2B0 and Rh-D blood groups in all the caste groups showed an oriental pattern with high B and Rh-D+ frequencies, while for the haptoglobins a very low frequency of HP*1 was seen in all the caste groups, except the Vaidya. For transferrin types the absolute predominancy of TF*C in all the caste groups was noted.

Fifty juvenile insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (JIDDM) patients of Tamil Nadu (South India) were typed for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ, ESD, GLOI, C3 and HP polymorphisms. The frequencies of B8, DR3, DR4, DR53 and DQ2 antigens of the HLA system were significantly higher in the patients than in controls (relative risk, RR = 4.81; 5.14; 3.98; 3.36 and 2.53, respectively). However HLA-DR2, -DR5 and -DQ1, observed less frequently in the patient group, appear to play a role of protection against the disease (RR = 0.32; 0.30 and 0.20 respectively). HLA haplotype analysis demonstrated very high relative risk associated with two hitherto unreported haplotypes namely A3,DR1 and Cw3,DR4 (RR = 27.30 and 20.00, respectively) and also scanty distribution of the haplotypes A1,B17 and DR2,DQ1 (RR = 0.39 and 0.36, respectively) in the patient group. Among other genetic markers tested, GLOI is informative with its phenotype GLOI 2-1 showing positive association with JIDDM (RR = 4.06).

Blood samples of 811 mother-child pairs from Bengalee Hindu caste groups were utilised to study the interaction between ABO blood groups and haptoglobin systems. There was no significant difference in the haptoglobin distribution between mothers and children. Significantly higher incidences of HP*1 were noted in the offspring born to ABO-incompatible mother-child combinations in comparison to offspring born to ABO-compatible combinations.

Haptoglobin subtypes were analysed by isoelectric focusing in four populations from Colombia, England, Nigeria, and India. There is a wide range of variation of allele frequencies in these four populations: HP*1S = 15-28%, HP*1F = 5-19%, HP*2FS = 54-79%. With the exception of the English, and the Spanish-speaking population of Colombia, all interpopulation comparisons showed significant heterogeneity. There is an extreme variation for the HP*1F allele in different populations, and a possible geographical cline of the HP*2FS allele increasing from west to east. The data presented here suggest that HP subtypes provide a useful anthropogenetic marker for racial differentiation.

Blood samples from 577 couples and their 657 offspring of Bengali caste group derivation were used to study interactions between ABO blood groups and haptoglobin (HP) systems. There was no significant sex difference in HP distribution among the parents. Significantly higher incidences of HP*1 allele were noted in the offspring of ABO-incompatible parental combinations in comparison with those in the offspring of ABO-compatible parents.

Four plasma protein polymorphisms: Group specific Component (GC), Haptoglobin (HP), Transferrin (TF) and Caeruloplasmin (CP), have been determined in two endogamous populations (Mala and Madiga) of Visakhapatnam of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, South India. The results were compared between the two caste populations and they revealed no significant differences. The results were also compared with those available from other Andhra populations.

HP1 subtyping has been performed on a Bengalee population sample of heterogeneous caste composition. The total sample size comes to n = 140 nonrelated adult individuals (68 males, 72 females). The following allele frequencies were observed: HP*1F = 0.0714, HP*1S = 0.1178, and HP*2 = 0.8107. It can be pointed out that the HP subtype distribution pattern found in the Bengalee sample follows in general the Oriental distribution pattern, though some differences are seen, especially concerning the HP*1F frequency.

Blood samples from 2,232 individuals of a Bengalee Caste Hindu population were investigated in an attempt to confirm the association between the ABO and haptoglobin (HP) systems previously found in populations of European origin. Indians differ from Europeans in having lower HP*1 and higher ABO*B frequencies. In spite of this, as in previous studies, a weak HP/ABO association was found with a significantly lower HP*1 allele frequency in blood group O versus other ABO groups.

Blood and serum samples from random individuals of Madras City, South India, were screened for ESD and HP polymorphisms using mixed starch agarose gel electrophoresis and polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis respectively. The allelic frequencies for HP*1 and HP*2 in Madras are 0.1240 and 0.8760 respectively, while ESD*1 and ESD*2 gene frequency estimates were 0.7680 and 0.2320 respectively. The results are compared with those available for other Indian and world populations.

Malaria 'susceptible' and 'refractory' subjects from village Bhanera in District Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) were examined for various genetic markers, viz., ABO, haptoglobin, haemoglobin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphism. One hundred and nine susceptible and 36 refractory subjects were studied. No significant differences with respect to distribution patterns of the genetic markers were observed in the two groups except for AB blood group. In general, a high incidence of ahaptoglobinaemia was observed in this population and incidence increased with the increase in malaria attacks, suggesting that repeated malaria attacks cause ahaptoglobinaemia.

Some genetic markers have been examined among the members of the Bodo tribes, North Bengal, India. Gene frequencies have been estimated and comparison has been done to evaluate differentiation with the common population. The overall intergroup heterogeneity was not significant for Rabha and Mech and also in consideration with the local population. But the Totos showed a difference from the local population and differed slightly from Meches and Rabhas.

Using random population data on the ABO, MN, esterase D (EsD), glyoxalase I, complement (C3) and haptoglobin markers in the population of Madras City associations were studied between these genetic systems. Out of a total of fifteen comparisons one significant association (chi 2 = 11.0; d.f. 4; 0.05 greater than p greater than 0.02) was found between the EsD and C3 phenotypes.

This study was carried out among members of the Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh in north India. The genetic traits reported here include ABO blood groups, haptoglobin, transferrin, albumin, Gc, Australia antigen and antigen Dd. The frequencies of genes p, q and r for the ABO system were 0.212, 0.290 and 0.428. The Hp1 allele frequency (0.331) was markedly higher and that of Gc1 (0.700) somewhat lower than in most north Indian populations. The incidence of Australia antigen was 1.25%. There were no antigen Dd reactors.

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.

An attempt is made to enumerate the effects of some factors on hypohaptoglobinaemia in a sample of 389 infants (along with their mothers) who were classified electrophoretically for haptoglobins (Hp). 85 . 5% of infants were Hp 0-0. There was no direct effect of birth-weight on the frequency of Hp 0-0 but there was a significant interaction between maternal haptoglobin type and birth-weight of newborn, showing an excess of 2-2 among mothers of low birth-weight babies, who were mostly Hp 0-0. Some trend towards reduced Hp 0-0 frequency among premature babies was discernible. There was a significant effect of parity on the frequency of detectable haptoglobin patterns among low birth-weight infants. An increase in the frequency of haptoglobin pattern was observed with increase in parity and birth-weight. The distributions of detectable haptoglobin patterns among newborn and mothers were similar. ABO incompatibility, sex, economic status and caste variation did not show any effects on the frequency of Hp 0-0.

Haptoglobin phenotypes and rare variants of transferrin and albumin are reported in six endogamous Brahmin sub-sects, viz., Niyogi, Madwa, Dravida, Vadahalai, Tengalai and Vaidiki from Andhra Pradesh. Samples were collected from Vaidiki subsect from three different locations to study the genetic variation, if any, resulting from geographic isolation. The Hp1 gene frequency ranged from 0.1124 to 0.2064. A fast heterozygote transferrin variant and three albumin slow variants showing different electrophoretic mobility are reported for the first time in the Brahmin populations of South India.

Blood samples from 156 Jat Sikhs were examined for the ABO, MNS, Rhesus, Duffy and Kell blood groups. Serum and lysate samples were prepared and electrophoretically tested for haptoglobin, esterase D, adenylate kinase, phosphoglucomutase and the acid phosphatase systems. Comparisons were made with other populations of the Indian sub-continent and of contiguous regions.

Three population groups, viz. Jat Sikh (192), Khatri (105) and Balmiki (108) were screened for haptoglobins, transferrins, Australia antigen, antigen Dd-reactivity and the ABO blood groups. The frequencies in Jat Sikhs, Khatris and Balmikis were 0.232, 0.186 and 0.140 respectively for Hp1 allele, 0.52%, 0.95% and 1.85% for Australia antigen, and 17.30%, 21.90% and 19.44% for antibodies against antigen Dd. The transferrins were all of type Tf C. The frequencies for the alleles A, B and O of the ABO system were 0.216, 0.239 and 0.545 in Jat Sikhs, 0.238, 0.320 and 0.442 in Khatris, and 0.196, 0.274 and 0.530 in Balmikis. Our tests showed these populations to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis has been employed for the detection of haptoglobin, transferrin and albumin phenotypes among 88 Dusads of Bihar. No variant of the haptoglobins or transferrins has been found in this sample, whereas one individual showed bisalbuminemia.

In the literature widely scattered Indian data on the gene frequencies of two polymorphic serum protein systems--haptoglobin (Hp) and transferrin (Tf)--have been compiled. In addition, the results of Hp and Tf typings on 111 individuals belonging to the caste groups of Brahmans (32), Rajputs (66), and Scheduled Caste (13) of Kausani of the Almora District, Uttar Pradesh (India) are presented.

Blood specimens from 134 Oraon, a Dravidian-speaking tribe in Bihar, India, have been tested for haptoglobin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, phosphoglucomutase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, and malate dehydrogenase types by starch gel electrophoresis. Low Hp1 and high TfD gene frequencies emerge.

A total of 870 subjects comprising 524 Chinese (from different dialect groups), 231 Malays and 115 Tamil Indians were investigated for the distribution of haptoglobin types and ABO blood groups. Haptoglobins were typed by PAG electrophoresis using discontinuous buffer system. The frequencies of Hp,1 Hp2 and Hp0 were found to be 0.330, 0.670 and 0.029 in Chinese; 0.298, 0.702 and 0.004 in Malays; and 0.167, 0.833 and 0.009 in Indians. The Hainanese had the highest frequency of Hp1 (0.375) followed by Cantonese (0.348), Teochew (0.333) and Hakkas (0.288). The distribution of all the phenotypes of haptoglobin was at equilibrium in all the population groups studied. No association of ABO blood groups was detected with the haptoglobin types. However, there was an excess of AB blood group in persons carrying Hp2 compared with those with Hp1.

A total of 204 members belonging to two ethnologically distinct tribal groups in the same area, the Santal and the Bhumij, from the Midnapore district of West Bengal have been tested for polymorphisms of serum proteins, enzymes and haemoglobin. Low chi 2 value indicates the absence of any significant genetical difference between these two tribes, in respect of their total protein patterns and Hb, Tf, Hp, Lp, LDH, ABO and Rh systems. An interesting observation was the presence of an aberrant transferrin type. A single case of phenylketonuria showed low elevation of phenylalanine.

The genetic structure of three subpopulations of the Naikpod tribe of Andhra Pradesh, India, was examined by studying three blood group, six red cell enzyme, and five protein systems and phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity. The gene frequency data of 15 loci are compared among the subpopulations as well as with those reported for other population groups from India. The analysis of gene diversity revealed that the gene differentiation among the subpopulations relative to total population is only 0.02, indicating that the genetic differentiation between subpopulations is very small compared with that within them. This is corroborated by the small genetic distances found among them. The effect of differentiation of microgeographical and breeding isolation on gene diversity and genetic differentiation among the three subpopulations is apparently low.

This study reports results of investigations on ABO, Rh, haptoglobin and transferrin types in the two hitherto uninvestigated endogamous groups of Punjab, North India. Frequencies for the A, B, and O genes were found to be 0.1711, 0.2566, and 0.5723 in Ramdasias, and 0.1737, 0.2960, and 0.5303 in Ramgarhias. In all 13 Rhesus-negative individuals were encountered. The Hp2 allele shows a high frequency of 0.8060 for Ramdasias, and 0.7860 for Ramgarhias.

Five tribal populations, Koya Dora, Raj Gond, Naikpod, Pardhan, and Lambadi from Andhra Pradesh were examined for Tf, Hp, Gc, ceruloplasmin and albumin types. Koya Doras were sampled at five localities to study intra-tribal variation. Tf DChi, a mongoloid genetic marker, was found in high frequencies among Koya Doras (0.029) and Naikpods (0.033) whereas if was absent among Pardhans and showed a very low frequency in Lambadis. A new slow transferrin allele, Tf DGond, is reported from Raj Gonds and is found in polymorphic frequency (0.01). The Hp1 gene frequency ranged from 0.056 to 0.159, and Gc2 ranged from 0.165 to 0.397. No variation was observed with respect to ceruloplasmin. One new albumin variant was found in a single individual of the Koya Dora tribe. The intra-tribal variation in gene frequencies among Koya Doras equalled that found between different tribal populations.

In the literature widely scattered Indian data on the gene frequencies of Inv, Gm, Gc, ADA, AK, ap, PGM1, 6-PGD and EsD polymorphisms have been compiled. The geographic and ethnic impacts of these data are discussed.--Additionally the results of blood group (A1A2BO, MN), serum protein group (Hp, Gc, Tf, Gm, Inv) and enzyme group (AK, aP, PGM1, 6-PGD, EsD) typings on a sample of 101 Jains, a population group in the area around Delhi, are presented here.

Serum proteins like haptoglobins and transferrin and total protein types were determined in healthy donors from West Bengal, with different levels of industrialisation and urbanisation, by disc gel electrophoresis. The frequency of the allele Hp2 was much higher in all the areas. A highly significant difference was observed between industrial and agricultural areas. However, the differences among the industrial districts were not significant except between the districts of Howrah and 24-Parganas.

The phenotypic and quantitative relationship of red cell acid phosphatase with haemoglobin, haptoglobin, and G6PD phenotypes was investigated in three populations in the Sudan and one population in Nilgiris, India. No significant consistent association of red cell acid phosphatase phenotypes was observed with these polymorphisms. However, there was a lack of acid phosphatase AB in G6PD deficient subjects from Nilgiris. The relative quantitative expression of red cell acid phosphatase genes PA, PB, and PC was 1.0, 1.2, and 1.3, respectively. The red cell acid phosphatase activity was higher (15%) in the presence of raised haemoglobin A2 and in sickle cell anaemia (21%). Those with Hp2 had 18% higher level of acid phosphatase than those with Hp1. G6PD deficient subjects had a lower level of acid phosphatase activity (20%) than those with normal G6PD activity.

A total of 215 Lepchas (75 Buddhists and 140 Christians) living in the Kalimpong subdivision, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, were investigated for the distribution of haemoglobin, serum proteins and red cell enzymes. The gene frequencies were as follows: HbE = 0.02; Hp1 = 0.18; TfB = 0.007; TfDChi = 0.005; Gc2 = 0.22; pa = 0.18; pc = 0.03; PGM2(1) = 0.18; PGM6(1) = 0.002; PGDc = 0.17; AK2 = 0.02; GLO1 = 0.21. The most striking features were the complete lack of G6PD deficiency and very high frequency of PGDC. The remaining loci (serum albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphohexose isomerase and superoxide dismutase) were monomorphic. The gene frequencies were similar in the Buddhist and Christian Lepchas. The observed average heterozygosity (9 loci) was 0.20 in the entire sample.