THE GENETIC-STRUCTURE OF A PROVINCE AS REVEALED BY SURNAMES AND HLA GENES - POTENTIAL UTILITY IN TRANSPLANTATION POLICY

The combined use of surnames, which simulate selectively neutral genet ic markers, and HLA genes may constitute a useful tool for the genetic survey of a small area. We found a coincidence between HLA genetic st ructure and surname 'selectively neutral' pattern, in an Italian provi nce, although HLA genes indicate a more pronounced genetic isolation f or one particular subregion of the province. The patchiness of HLA all ele distribution that is sometimes created by drift and/or selection c an be used as the basis both of anthropological and of epidemiological studies. The creation of genetic maps of relatively small areas may a lso constitute a tool for the selection of bone marrow donors.