Survey of the allelic frequency of a NOS2A promoter microsatellite in human populations: Assessment of the NOS2A gene and predisposition to infectious disease

Allelic frequencies of a (CCTTT)(n) pentanucleotide repeat in the NOS2A pro moter region were determined in a total of 1393 unrelated individuals from five specific population groups in four continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, a nd the Caribbean, There were highly significant differences in allele frequ encies between the ethnically diverse populations. The repeat variation may have implications for the selective pressure of malaria or other infectiou s diseases that may operate at the NOS2 locus. (C) 2000 Academic Press.