Population genetic studies of the Aka pygmies (Central Africa): a survey of red cell and serum enzymes.

Blood samples collected in a single Pygmy tribe, the Aka, living in Bokoka district (Central African Empire) were investigated with respect to the phenotype and gene frequencies of the following 12 enzyme systems: acid phosphatase, adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, carbonic anhydrase, esterase D, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase 1, phosphoglucomutase 2, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and serum cholinesterase variants (locus E1 and E2). The data obtained in the study of genetic polymorphisms of this isolated and inbred population show a specific pattern with the following characteristics: the very low frequency of PGDB and pa alleles; the existence of two rare PGM variants at the PGM2 locus, typical PGM26Pyg (4.2%) and PGM29 (0.2%); the high frequency of the pr allele (10.8%) and CAII2 (8.22%) and ESD2 genes (18.4%). Furthermore, at the G6PD locus four distinct alleles have been found: the negroid GdA- (4%) and GdA+ (16%), the common GdB+ (79.2%)--, and the rare Gd+Ibadan Austin (0.7%). Cholinesterase typings disclosed the presence of the uncommon E1f and E1s genes distributed within a single breeding unit. The results are compared with other data previously reported on South African Khoisan and some Negroid populations; the particular genetic background of Pygmies is discussed.