Quantitative evidence of a silent gene P° of human red cell acid phosphatase in south Polish population

Abstract

The distribution of red cell acid phosphatase types in 3244 unrelated Polish adults is reported. Gene frequencies P a = 0.3594, P b = 0.5643 and P c = 0.0763 were obtained. In a forensic case of disputed paternity an apparent mother/child incompatibility respect to red cell acid phosphatase was found, the mother appearing as type B and the child as type A. Determination of acid phosphatase activity suggested the presence of a silent gene P°. The phosphatase levels were about half the values expected, as determined in 237 adults representing the different phenotypes.