Abnormal hemoglobins in the Silk Road region of China

✍ Scribed by Hou-jun Li; Xian-ning Zhao; Fan Qin; Hui-wu Li; Li Li; Xiao-jun He; Xiao-su Chang; Zhe-meng Li; Ke-xing Liang; Fa-li Xing; Wen-sun Chang; Ru-zhau Wong; Iu-li Yang; Fen-sheng Li; Tuen-tian Zhang; Ri-jun Tian; Brooke B. Webber; Jerry B. Wilson; Titus H. J. Huisman

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 517 KB
• Volume: 86
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0340-6717
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00197711

✦ Synopsis

A review is presented of the occurrence of 24 abnormal hemoglobins (13 a-chain variants and 11 [3chain variants) in populations in the Silk Road area of Northwestern China. Most frequently occurring were Hb D-Punjab [[3121(GH4)Glu-->Gln] in Uygurs, Kazaks, and Khalkhas, Hb G-Taipei [~22(B4)Glu-oGly] in persons of the Han nationality, and Hb G-Coushatta [1322 (B4)Glu--~Ala] in the Uygurs, Kazaks, Hans, and related nationalities. The data suggest that these variants likely originated in Central Asia, in the Han nationality of China, and in the minorities of northern China, respectively. Other variants occurred at considerably lower frequencies and were imported from other countries or arose as independent mutations. Two variants [Hb Tashikuergan or ~19(AB1)Ala~GIu; Hb Tianshui or [539(C5) Gln---~Arg] were observed for the first time. The data from this study of the many variants support the movements of various populations in this area, as reported in numerous historical documents.