[Statistical analysis of abnormal human alpha and beta globins].

Statistical treatment of data concerning the primary structure, molecular conformational stability and fitness of carriers of 123 alpha- and 211 beta-abnormal human globins is presented. The analysis of the data shows that the average number of amino acid replacements per site is 1.66 times higher for abnormal beta-globins than for alpha-globins, mainly due to prenatal stabilizing selection. The results indicate that 40% of abnormal alpha-globins are eliminated during the fetal stages of ontogenesis. Implication of the results obtained is discussed in terms of mutation rate monitoring in human populations.