Near fixation of 374l allele frequencies of the skin pigmentation gene SLC45A2 in Africa

Biochem Genet. 2013 Oct;51(9-10):655-65. doi: 10.1007/s10528-013-9595-8. Epub 2013 May 10.

Abstract

The L374F polymorphism of the SLC45A2 gene, encoding the membrane-associated transporter protein that plays an important role in melanin synthesis, has been suggested to be associated with skin color in human populations. In this study, the detailed distribution of the 374f and 374l alleles has been investigated in 2,581 unrelated subjects from 36 North, East, West, and Central African populations. We found once more the highly significant (p < 0.001) correlation coefficient (r = 0.957) cline of 374f frequencies with degrees of latitude in European and North African populations. Almost all the African populations located below 16° of latitude are fixed for the 374l allele. Peul, Toucouleur, and Soninké populations have 374l allele frequencies of 0.06, 0.03, and 0.03, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Africa South of the Sahara
  • Africa, Northern
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Black People / genetics*
  • Ethnicity / genetics
  • Gene Frequency*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Skin Pigmentation / genetics*
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SLC45A2 protein, human