A microsatellite polymorphism in the von Willebrand factor gene: comparison of allele frequencies in different population samples and evaluation for forensic medicine.

The allele frequencies at the tetranucleotide repeat (TCTA) vWA locus in the vWF gene were determined in the general Finnish population, in a population representing an internal isolate of Finland, in the Vologda-Russian population, and in US Black population samples. The allele and genotype frequencies from these population samples were compared with each other and with those reported from Spanish and British population samples. Statistically significant differences were demonstrated between most of the different groups (Finns vs. Vologda-Russians, Finns vs. US Blacks, Finns vs. Spanish, Vologda-Russians vs. US Blacks, Vologda-Russians vs. Spanish, US Blacks vs. Spanish and US Blacks vs. British Caucasians), but not between the two Caucasoid population samples from Finland and Great Britain, nor between or within the subpopulation samples from Finland and those from Vologda-Russia. In addition, the vWA marker was evaluated and demonstrated to be reliable for forensic purposes and paternity testing.