Origin of the hemoglobin S gene in a northern Brazilian population: the combined effects of slave trade and internal migrations

Abstract

We analyzed DNA polymorphisms in the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>-globin gene cluster of 30 sickle cell anemia patients from Belém, the capital city of the State of Pará, in order to investigate the origin of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S mutation. Sixty-seven percent of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S chromosomes were Bantu type, 30% were Benin type, and 3% were Senegal type. The origin of the <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S mutation in this population, estimated on the basis of <FONT FACE="Symbol">b</font>S-linked haplotypes, contradicts the historical records of direct slave trade from Africa to the northern region of Brazil. Historical records indicate a lower percentage of people from Benin. These discrepancies are probably due to domestic slave trade and later internal migrations, mainly from northeastern to northern regions. Haplotype distribution in Belém did not differ significantly from that observed in other Brazilian regions, although historical records indicate that most slaves from Atlantic West Africa, where the Senegal haplotype is prevalent, were destined for the northern region, whereas the northeast (Bahia, Pernambuco and Maranhão) was heavily supplied with slaves from Central West Africa, where the Benin haplotype predominates.

Beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes in Venezuelan sickle cell patients from the State of Aragua

“…In order to provide the required information for further analysis of the heterogeneity of the hematological parameters and clinical manifestations of SCD in Venezuela, the DNA β-globin gene cluster haplotypes were analyzed in 48 Venezuelan sickle cell patients from the State of Aragua. The results were compared with those found in other studies with Venezuelan patients (Arends et al, 2000), Guadeloupe Island and Iberoamerican populations of Cuba (Muniz et al, 1995), Colombia (Cuellar-Ambrosi et al, 2000) and Brazil Figueiredo et al, 1994;Gonçalves et al, 1994;Pante de Sousa et al, 1998, 1999.…”

Transcranial doppler in sickle cell anaemia: evaluation of brain blood flow parameters in children of Aracaju, Northeast - Brazil

“…Genetic factors include proportion of fetal hemoglobin, association with alfa thalassemia and with G6PD deficiency, esferocitosis and anti-oxidants enzymes, as well as with the haplotypes 15 . Environmental factors include physical environment, nutrition, and access to medical, social and psychological support 2 .…”

Investigação bibliográfica sobre a hemoglobina S de 1976 a 2007

“…However, by analyzing DNA polymorphisms in the hemoglobin's â gene complex in 30 patients with sickle cell anemia in the population of the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, only 3% were found to have the Senegal haplotype; 30%, the Benin haplotype; and 67%, the Bantu haplotype. Regional differences in the origin of African slaves were changed by the domestic slave traffic and, subsequently, by migratory movements, as observed by the prevalence of 1.14% of sickle cell traits in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Southern Brazil (17)(18) . In Brazil, sickle cell anemia is the most prevalent hereditary disease, affecting between 0.1% and 0.3% of the black population and with a tendency to affect significantly higher numbers of individuals in the population, due to the high level of miscegenation (16) .…”