Population distribution of the human vitamin D binding protein: Anthropological considerations

Abstract

The polymorphism of the serum vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in humans is based on the existence of three common alleles, Gc^1F, Gc^1S, and Gc², and 84 rare alleles. The geographical distribution of Gc^1F, Gc^1S, and Gc² alleles shows north to south clines, together with a balanced equilibrium between the Gc^1F or Gc^1S allele frequency and the Gc² frequency.

The distribution of the F_ST values shows high variability within a geographical area. For European and North Asiatic groups, the F_ST values are the lowest observed, and the reason may be a long process of homogenization. Aboriginal populations from Australia and New Guinea and groups from both North Africa and South America show the greatest heterogeneity of their allele frequencies. Systematic factors such as genetic drift and selection may account for this distribution.

In contrast with the three main DBP alleles, the distribution of the rare alleles corresponds to patterns of human migrations that occurred during prehistoric and historic periods. Thus, the rare mutants are of particular relevance to anthropological and genetical investigations.