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DNA, proteins and human diversity

Francisco M. Salzano

Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Caixa Postal 15053, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. Fax: 55 51 336-2011, 55 51 336-4500

ABSTRACT

A review is made of studies at the protein and DNA levels performed by the Porto Alegre group in association with several others, inside and outside Brazil. Topics examined were: (a) the determination at the molecular level of mutations in the albumin and glucose-6-phosphate molecules, as well as their population distribution; (b) investigations involving "classical" markers; (c) nucleotide diversity of the mtDNA of four South American Indian tribes; and (d) the population prevalence of alleles and haplotypes from two nuclear DNA systems: D1S80 and beta-globin gene cluster. The relationship of these results with the question of the early peopling of the Americas was systematically considered.

Keywords: DNA; proteins; human diversity.

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