Beta-globin gene haplotypes and selected Malaria-associated variants among black Southern African populations.

ABSTRACT: Partial carrier-resistance to Plasmodium falciparum malaria conferred by the sickle cell (HbS) mutation has resulted in the local amplification and positive selection of sickle cell disease (SCD) in malaria-endemic regions and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The present study investigated the β-globin gene haplotypes, and selected malaria-associated variants among three cohorts of Bantu-speaking individuals from Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa compared with reports with data from others SSA populations. The data suggest a south-ward frequency decrease of malaria-associated variants in SSA linked to the evolutionary dynamics of various African populations' genomes through selective pressure of malaria. These selected genomics differences, positive selection

SUBMITTER: Pule GD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5870409 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature