de Andrade F M, Coimbra C E, Santos R V, Goicoechea A, Carnese F R, Salzano F M, Hutz M H
Biosciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Ann Hum Biol. 2000 Jan-Feb;27(1):29-34. doi: 10.1080/030144600282352.
The apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism was investigated in 186 individuals from six South American Indian tribes, and the results integrated with those previously presented for this ethnic group. The three APOE alleles commonly reported in other populations were also observed in South Amerindians with a highly heterogeneous distribution. As in other populations, APOE3 was the most common allele (51-98%) followed by APOE4 (2-47%). These two isoforms were identified in all tribes, but APOE*2 was observed among the Wai Wai (2%) and Mataco (4%) only. No previous indications of inter-ethnic admixture were observed among the Wai Wai, but the introduction of this allele among the Mataco through non-Indian sources cannot be excluded.
