Biology of the people of Sikkim, India. 1. Studies on the variability of genetic markers

Abstract

13 population groups of Sikkim (North India) ? Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Ta mangs, Gurungs, Rais, Limboos (Subbas), Pradhans (Newars), Brahmins, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes ? were analyzed for the distribution of 17 polymorphic systems of the blood: A1A2B0, MNSs, Rhesus (C, c, D, E, e), Kell, Duffy, Kidd, haptoglobin, transferrin subtypes, Gc subtypes, Gm (1, 2, 5), Km (1), red cell acid phosphatase (aP), phosphoglucomutase (PGMt), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), esterase D (EsD), adenylate kinase (AK), and hemoglobin variants. In ad dition to this two samples ? Lepchas and Bhutias of North Sikkim ? could also be typed for Lu theran und Xg blood groups and for ABH secretion in saliva. The distribution of phenotype and al lele frequencies shows a considerable interpopulational variability, which is discussed considering history and marriage relations of these populations. The average coefficient of gene diversity GST comes to 0.0351, whereas Wright's Fst is 0.0257. These values are somewhat different from those obtained on other Indian populations. Genetic distance analysis revealed a cluster pattern, which reflects to a great extent the ethnohistoric relations among the populations under study.