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 of SCD in malaria-endemic regions among 'Bantus' from various part of Africa emphasise the evidence of the dissociation between genetics, anthropology and culture. The present study also showed a relatively prevalent Benin haplotype, which is mostly found in West Africa, among Southern African Blacks and very low Bantu haplotype, which could suggest a major migration route, of Southern Africa Bantu, along the African west coast, post-occurrence of the Sickle cell mutation, which date remain to be fully elucidated.

• Authors: G D Pule, E R Chimusa, K Mnika, K Mhandire, E Kampira, C Dandara, A Wonkam
• Journal: Global health, epidemiology and genomics (Glob Health Epidemiol Genom) Vol. 2 Pg. e17 ( 2017) ISSN: 2054-4200 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29868223 (Publication Type: Journal Article)