Esterase D and Superoxide Dismutase Polymorphisms in Iraq

Abstract

From a study of 320 individuals superoxide dismutase (SOD) variants are shown to be present in Iraq, and it is suggested that this genetic system may be useful for the study of historical population movement in the Middle East. The esterase D gene frequencies show no significant heterogeneity among the different regions of the country.

Erythrocyte Glyoxalase I and Superoxide Dismutase Polymorphisms in the Mbugu and Some Other Populations of the Central African Republic

“…The electrophoretic pattern of these 2 subjects corresponds to the one de scribed by several authors e.g. [Beckman, 1973;Welch and Mears, 1972;Paphia and A! Agidi, 1976;Crosti et al.…”

“…According to Carter et al [1976], the allele SOD A-would have moved from this area towards North America (West Coast of Newfoundland) as a consequence of the migration of Viking populations, while according to Welch and Mears [1972], the relative high incidence of the Agidi [1976] consider the occurrence of the allele SOD A -in the Iraqis, living on the west bank of the river Euphrates, as the result of the many migrations in and from the Mediterranean basin. The presence of the allele SOD A-in the middle of the Afri can continent stresses the hypothesis of a mutational independent event which occur red in more or less recent times.…”

“…For this reason it is premature to speak of a possible selective meaning of such a mutant, in spite of the fact that this allele is mainly present in geographic areas with extreme physical conditions, e.g. the SOD A-allele frequency in Finland is 1.1% [Beckman and Pakarinen, 1973], in Sweden 2.5% [Beckman et al, 1973], in Italy 0.1% [Crosli et al, 1976], in Iraq 0.3% [Paphia and Al Agidi, 1976] and in Newfoundland 2.6°/n [Carter et al, 1976], Moreover, the enzyme activity of the two phenotypes SOD A 2-1 and SODA 1 is in the same range; this may suggest that the allele SOD A-is selectively neutral.…”

Occurrence of a Rare Variant of Superoxide Dismutase in Brazil

“…According to Kirk [1975] the distribution of SOD A2 may be the result of the conquest and mi grations of the Vikings in the 9th century. Crosti et al [1976] suggested a new differ ent mutational event in Italy at a relatively recent time, and Papiha and Al-Agidi [1976] think that the SOD A2gene found in Iraq originated in Italy. According to Spedini et al [1982] the Central African Re public SOD A2 gene also results from a re cent mutational independent event.…”

Isoelectric Focusing of Superoxide Dismutase: Report of the Unique SODA*2 Allele in a US White Population

“…Several hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin and distribution of the SOD A*2 allele in different popualation groups [Beckman, 1973;Kirk, 1974;Crosti et al, 1976;Papiha and Al-Agidi, 1976;Spedini et al, 1982;Weimer et al, 1987]. However, the most likely explana tion appears to be that offered by Kirk [ 1974] who suggested that the SOD A *2 al lele was spread across Europe by Vikings through their successive migrations from their homeland in Scandinavia.…”