MOLECULAR-GENETICS OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE-DEHYDROGENASE DEFICIENCY INMEXICO

Several studies carried out between 1965 and 1985 showed that G-6-PD d eficiency in Mexico is heterogeneous at the biochemical level and that the G-6-PD A- phenotype is relatively common, We have now investigate d the molecular basis of G-6-PD deficiency in Mexico, Up-to-date 60 ch romosomes with G6PD mutations have been studied, 16 in previous studie s and 44 in the present work, Molecular analysis of DNA from Gd-PD def icient Mexican mestizos and their relatives show that Gd-PD A- genotyp es are relatively common but also that in Mexico G-6-PD deficiency is heterogeneous at the DNA level, Thus, five different, been observed: G -6-PD A-(202A/376G) (41 chromosomes), G-6-PD A-(376G/968C) (14 chromos omes), G-6-PD Seattle(844c) (3 chromosomes), G-6-PD ''Mexico City''(68 0A)(1 chromosome) and G-6-PD Guadalajara(1159T) (1 chromosome), The G- 6-PD A-(202A/376G), G-6-PD A-(376G/968C) and G-6-PD Seattle(844C) muta tions in Mexico are on the same Pvu II/ Pst I/ 1311 / Nla III haplotyp es as found in individuals from Africa, Spain and the Canary Islands, Consequently, these mutations were probably imported to Mexico through African slaves and/or the Spanish immigrants during and after the col onization.