PI polymorphism in Israel: report on six Jewish population groups.

A total of 1148 Israeli Jews was typed for PI and divided by areas of origin into six groups: Eastern Europe (n = 236), Central Europe (n = 156), Rumania (n = 158), Bulgaria (n = 215), North Africa (n = 229), and Middle East (n = 154). Frequencies of PIM1 (0.74-0.77) in Jews of European countries were higher than 0.68 in Jews of N. Africa and 0.62 in Jews of the Middle East. PIM2 frequencies were correspondingly lower in European Jews: 0.11-0.14 vs 0.19 and 0.20 in non-European Jews. PIM3 frequency range was 0.07-0.11 in European Jews and was highest in Middle Eastern Jews (0.17). PIZ was found in one MZ individual. PIS was low (less than 0.01) except in Sephardi Jews of Bulgaria and N. Africa (0.016 and 0.015). A rare variant, PIElemberg, was observed in five individuals from different countries of origin. The present results are in accord with those of a previous study on some Israeli Jewish groups and on some other Middle Eastern groups.