Frequencies of the Butyrylcholinesterase K Mutation in Brazilian Populations of European and African Origin

Document Type

Brief Communication

Authors

R.L.R. Souza, Federal University of Paraná
R.M.V. Castro, Federal University of Paraná
L. Pereira, Federal University of Paraná
A.A. Freund, Federal University of Paraná
L. Culpi, Federal University of Paraná
E.A. Chautart-Freire-Maja, Federal University of Paraná

Abstract

The frequency of the butyrylcholinesterase K mutation was calculated on the basis of data obtained by polymerase chain reaction primer-introduced restriction analysis (PCR-PIRA). The population sample was composed of 177 Brazilians: 95 whites of predominantly European ancestry and 82 admixed individuals (European and African origin). The frequencies—18.4 ± 2.8% for whites and 17.1 ± 2.9% for admixed did not differ from those previously obtained in North America, Scotland, Japan, and Denmark. The occurrence of the K mutation in Europeans, East Asians, and Africans suggests a relatively old origin for this mutation, and the similar frequencies found in these populations may suggest the operation of selective forces.

Recommended Citation

Souza, R.L.R.; Castro, R.M.V.; Pereira, L.; Freund, A.A.; Culpi, L.; and Chautart-Freire-Maja, E.A. (1998) "Frequencies of the Butyrylcholinesterase K Mutation in Brazilian Populations of European and African Origin," Human Biology: Vol. 70: Iss. 5, Article 10.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol70/iss5/10